8 of the best bronze watches to buy now

With its earthy tones and warm glow, bronze has long captivated humanity. Few materials can rival its sense of history and craftsmanship. In modern horology, bronze evokes an old-world charm that watchmakers use to infuse unique aesthetics into advanced innovation.

For an alloy to be called bronze, its primary constituent has to be copper. It comprises copper and tin in its most basic form — a formula used since 2,500 BCE when bronze casting began. Now made in various compositions, bronze often contains other elements to achieve specific material and aesthetic qualities.

Unlike stainless steel or titanium, bronze develops a distinctive patina over time — a living finish that tells the story of its wearer’s journey. Each scratch, oxidation, and subtle hue change infuse character. Bronze’s ability to age gracefully, durability, resistance to corrosion, and anti-magnetism make it an ideal choice for timepieces built to endure both style and time.

Over time, as bronze reacts with oxygen, moisture, and other environmental elements, its surface undergoes a natural oxidation process. This film, known as patina, is a captivating blend of earthy tones, often ranging from deep greens and blues to rich browns and muted greys. 

A classic bronze patina often features a verdigris hue — a distinctive greenish-blue — that recalls aged copper rooftops or ancient statues. Layered and textured, the patina is rarely uniform, giving each bronze object an organic aesthetic. This evolving patina adds individuality to timepieces, making them feel like personal artefacts, especially for collectors who appreciate imperfection’s nostalgia and beauty. 

Despite being mankind’s oldest alloy and the key metal used in pioneering diving equipment (think dive helmets), bronze was only first used for a watch case in 1984 by Gerald Genta. It was believed that his Gefica Safari was created at the behest of three game hunters who didn’t want the reflection of their timepieces to scare off animals. 

While the metal has been consistently used in horology ever since bronze’s appeal is still niche. As it is experiencing a current revival among manufactures, we highlight the timepieces honouring this singular alloy.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Bronze Gold

A bold fusion of heritage and innovation, this creation is inspired by the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, which was launched in 2020 for the James Bond film No Time to Die. 

Crafted with Omega’s exclusive Bronze Gold alloy composed of 50 per cent copper and 37.5 per cent gold with palladium and silver, the 42mm case offers exceptional corrosion resistance while developing an alluring patina over time. 

It is paired with a domed sapphire crystal, a burgundy oxalic anodised aluminium bezel, and a vintage Super-LumiNova diving scale. The sand-blasted matte black dial bears PVD 18K Bronze Gold hands and blackened indexes, all of which are luminescent for optimal legibility. 

Powered by the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806, it is METAS-certified and comes with a brushed Bronze Gold mesh bracelet or black rubber strap.

Norqain Freedom 60 GMT 40mm Bronze Anthracite

A worthy companion for the modern explorer, this 300-piece limited edition from Norqain references design elements of the 60s, blending its timezone functionality with sophistication. 

Its 40mm polished and satin-finished bronze case houses a striking anthracite dial with a sunray finish, complemented by sand-blasted bronze-coloured hands and indexes that impart both clarity and refinement. Made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, its caseback features a bronze PVD coating to keep with the watch’s colourways. 

Powered by Kenissi’s COSC-certified Calibre NN20/2 mechanical automatic movement, this watch features a second time zone with a jumping hour feature, indicated by a 24-hour midnight black and white scale. It also boasts a discreet date window at 3 o’clock and 70 hours of power reserve for added practicality.

Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date Bronze-Tone Edition

Capturing the glowing hues of a glacier at sunset, this Montblanc model is inspired by the captivating sight of the Mer de Glace on the Mont Blanc massif. Its 41mm case is crafted from cupro aluminium, a highly corrosion-resistant bronze alloy that develops a distinguished patina. 

Crafted with the gratte-boise technique, the dial’s black glacier pattern is endowed with depth and luminosity. Framing the time display is a bi-colour unidirectional anodised aluminium bezel. At the same time, the titanium caseback is finished with a bronze-toned coating featuring a laser relief engraving of a scuba diver. 

Driven by the MB 24.17/SW200 automatic movement, this timepiece has an interchangeable brown-outlined black rubber strap with a bronze-coated stainless steel double-folding clasp. Adorning the 6 o’clock spot is a logo inspired by a vintage Minerva export seal.

Sinn T50 GoldBronze B

The 42mm case, crown, and bezel of this technical diver’s watch are made from the German manufacture’s patented Goldbronze 125, a durable alloy composed of one-eighth gold. With its silky matte finish, the dark blue dial evokes the ocean’s depths and contrasts stunningly with the bead-blasted Goldbronze 125 components. 

Driven by the high-precision SW 300-1 automatic movement, it is water-resistant to 500m and certified to European diving equipment standards. Its Captive Safety Diver’s Bezel features an anti-twist mechanism to prevent accidental adjustments, while colour-coded luminescence ensures legibility in low-light conditions.

The 4 o’clock crown placement boosts comfort during active use, and the titanium case back ensures skin compatibility and corrosion resistance. Additional features include Ar-Dehumidifying Technology to prevent fogging and a special Goldbronze cleaning cloth to remove oxidation for a lustrous finish.

Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Bronze

A cosmopolitan take on a sports watch, this 888-piece limited edition flaunts a 42mm bronze case with a slender 11mm height, striking the perfect balance between presence and wearability. 

Protecting the brushed bezel are sand-blasted bezel riders, imparting visual interest. Further complementing the case is a smoked chocolate dial with not just a gradient fume effect but a Clou de Paris pattern and faceted rose gold PVD hands and indices applied with Super-LumiNova inserts. 

The open stainless steel caseback unveils the ML135 automatic movement adorned with rhodium-plated finishes, colimaconnage snailing, and perlage circular graining. Based on the Sellita SW200, the calibre delivers reliable precision with a 38-hour power reserve.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3 

A tribute to the hard-wearing MIL-SPEC model worn by French and US Navy personnel in the 50s, the Fifty Fathoms has been reinterpreted with a groundbreaking 41.3mm case in 9K Bronze Gold. 

This patented alloy of 37.5 per cent gold and 50 per cent copper with silver, palladium, and gallium offers the appeal of bronze while resisting oxidation. Enhancing the matte black dial of this 555-piece limited-edition diver’s watch are a moisture indicator and vintage Super-LumiNova hour markers. At the same time, the unidirectional rotating bezel bears a black ceramic insert and luminescent diving scale. 

At its heart lies the Blancpain 1154.P2 automatic movement, boasting twin barrels for 100 hours of power reserve and a silicon balance spring for anti-magnetism up to 1,000 gauss. 

Christopher Ward C60 Pro 300 Bronze Blue Ombre

A handsome addition to the increasingly popular Trident Bronze collection, this Christopher Ward diver’s model showcases a deep blue ombre dial enhanced by a lacquered finish and a colour-matched date wheel at 6 o’clock. 

Housing it is a robust 42mm bronze case with a wearable height of 11.5mm. The unidirectional 120-click bezel features a satin-brushed ceramic insert, while diamond-polished hands and indexes are filled with Super-LumiNova. 

Pressure-tested to 300m, the watch is powered by the Sellita SW200-1 COSC-certified self-winding chronometer movement that offers exceptional accuracy with a tolerance of -4/+6 seconds per day and a 38-hour power reserve. Completing this style statement is a choice of a distressed vintage oak leather strap or a blue hybrid rubber strap.

Panerai Radiomir 8 Giorni Eilean Experience Edition PAM0164

Not just bronze-imbued, but a 30-piece limited edition with a Sicilian adventure that is part of the Panerai Experiences Program. Its connection to the trip lies in the brand’s celebration of its Italian roots and maritime heritage. 

The watch’s bezel, crown, and caseback medallion are decorated with bronze salvaged from the historic Bermudian ketch Eilean, which the Francesco Del Carlo boatyard has restored over two years. After being carefully cleaned and recast, the metal was incorporated into its 45mm steel case, which boasts a rugged Brunito finish. 

Also evoking a vintage allure is the grainy beige dial reminiscent of the vessel’s sails. Its P.5000 hand-wound calibre engine offers an eight-day power reserve.