In a move to make things right, Magrette responded by offering to exchange cases for customers who wanted the bronze instead. Magrette discovered, after some testing, that the supplier of what should have been CuSn8 bronze sent them a high quality brass material instead–a metal used in musical instruments that is a mixture of copper and zinc. You’ll notice on the dial that it says “Bronze,” and I said “Brass.” Here is where it gets interesting. With a 21 jewel Miyota automatic movement, sapphire crystal, and a leather strap, it’s a great value of a watch. This limited edition model retails for $385. Matched with the solid CuSn8 bronze case that will develop a distinct vintage looking patina over time, it is gorgeous.Īnother watch to consider is the Magrette Regattare Vintage Brass. With eight layers of vintage tone luminous application on a matte black dial, the aesthetic of this piece is unlike anything else in their collection. So what justifies the price against their more durable stainless steel or PVD coated models?įor starters, Lum-Tec does something really nice in the details to create a unique offering. The case shape is not much of a deviation from the other M series models and the insides are virtually unchanged. This watch retails for $995, but is available at a preorder price of $845.75. For the purposes of discussing more practically priced options, let’s start by examining the Lum-Tec M-53. All beautiful timepieces, but all priced to break the bank. The market for bronze has big brands such as Hublot, Audemars Piguet, Anonimo, and even Panerai getting in on the action. One user’s experience with forcing the patina is detailed nicely on a WatchUseek Forum here. Fret not though, because in most cases they can be polished back to new. This corrosion process protects the metal underneath and can take on a neat vintage appearance. That’s exactly what they’ll get too–because every bronze watch will change uniquely over time as it develops a patina (a tarnish from oxidation of the metal). ![]() What they do offer is diversity for the collector who wants something different. Rarely does a watch collector enter their local AD and request, “Show me only watches made of softer metal that are likely to change color and damage easily.” Browse Internet watch forums and you’ll find all the proof you need of that. I’ll be the first to admit that they are not for everyone. Bronze watches certainly aren’t those watches, nor do they all try to be. If you’re a watch collector, you likely already own your arsenal of timepieces to survive sub-zero temperatures, reach water depths inaccessible without a submarine, and have enough shock absorption to withstand a five story drop (hopefully without you wearing it). ![]() Among each of the previous case materials mentioned there is a game of one-upmanship in being more heat-, corrosion-, bang-, bump-, bruise-, and scratch-proof than the next, but what about copper?Įnter the Bronze Age–of watches that is. What’s on your wrist? Safe bet is that it’s stainless steel, but who among you are the adventurous type? The ceramic pioneers, titanium warriors, carbon fibernauts, and tungsten tanks.
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