Can you really clean a bronze watch without removing its patina?
This is one of the most common questions we received after publishing our article about the best bronze watches in the market.
And it’s not surprising since bronze watches are, once again, becoming a trend in the men’s fashion world.
That is why, if you haven’t noticed, more and more watch brands are releasing new models of watches made with this beautiful metal.
So today, we will finally answer the question above as we will share with you some expert tips on how to take care of your bronze watches.
And if you are one of those bronze watch collectors out there or at least have one, read this detailed guide specially made for you!
What Are Bronze Watches + Should You Clean Them?
Bronze is a metal alloy that is mainly made of copper and tin.
Nowadays, bronze is one of the most common materials used in watchmaking not only for its distinct look but also for outstanding toughness and corrosion resistance.
But what makes this metal unique is the patina that naturally develops on its surface, turning its original color from light gold to vintage brown.
This is caused by the metal’s oxidation process that occurs when exposed to oxygen, which is its own way of protecting itself from the environment. This means that the patina benefits the watch’s overall aesthetics, as well as its strength and durability.
In fact, timepieces made with this metal are some of the few watches that can hold their value, even if tarnishing or patina develops on them.
But of course, like other watches, a bronze watch needs to be cleaned and properly cared for if you want to prolong its lifespan. That is why we also recommend getting your watch serviced at least every 10 years.
How To Take Care Of Bronze Watch
Besides regular watch servicing, here are some effective ways to ensure your bronze watch is in excellent shape and maintains its peak performance.
#1. Polishing
Even if you intend to preserve the patina of your bronze watch, it should also be polished.
Yes. You can also polish your watch without damaging or removing its natural patina. Like other timepieces made of precious metals, bronze watches can be polished to make them shine and look good as new.
Off-the-shelf products are already available to clean bronze metal. However, we still recommend natural cleaning methods, such as using a mixture of lemon juice and warm water. This mild solution is proven safe and effective.
#2. Avoid Harsh Or Abrasive Chemicals
Avoid using formulas with harsh and abrasive ingredients. Some chemicals, such as chloride, often found in most cleaners, can induce destructive corrosive tarnish called “bronze disease” that will pit and slowly destroy the watch’s case.
Moreover, we also recommend not to use abrasive scrubs such as steel wool. This might effectively remove stains but can also affect the watch’s patina.
#3. Proper Storage
Like in any other timepieces, proper storage is a must to keep our bronze watches in perfect condition. When they are not on your wrist, always make sure to store them in a cool, dry place, preferably far away from sunlight.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight could lead to increased temperature inside your watch, which may affect its accuracy or even permanent damage to its movement.
On the other hand, moisture can also negatively affect the watch’s dial, hands, and movement. Moreover, it can also unintentionally accelerate the natural tarnishing of a bronze watch.
That is why we recommend using high-quality watch collector boxes to keep your watch collection safe and secured.
Bronze Watch Recommendations
As we said earlier, we’ve already featured some of the best bronze timepieces in the watch market. But if you want to know our favorites and what we can recommend among them, here is our short list:
#1. Panerai Submersible Bronzo Ref. PAM00968
The all-brown Panerai Submersible Bronzo PAM00968 was introduced to the public in 2011. Since then, it has become one of the go-to bronze watches for divers.
The Panerai Submersible Bronze is a self-winding automatic timepiece that showcases a 47mm bronze case with a brown ceramic bezel.
It is complemented by a brown leather strap with a titanium buckle, which enhances the design of the watch while providing added comfort and security when worn on the wrist.
#2. Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze
If you want to add bronze pieces to your luxury watch collection, the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze is one of the best options that you can have.
The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze has a brown-bronze colored dial and very large white applied numeral hour markers. The piece also comes with a satin-brushed bronze bracelet and a complimentary fabric strap.
This watch has a self-winding mechanical movement with a bidirectional rotor system.
#3. Bremont Broadsword Bronze
The Bremont Broadsword Bronze is a modern interpretation of the legendary “Dirty Dozen” watches used by the British Army throughout WWII.
It was developed in collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defense, which allows them to use the signs and heraldic symbols of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces at its caseback.
Like its predecessor, this new watch features a simple yet aesthetically designed dial, perfect for people who are looking for a minimalist timepiece. It is run by an automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve.
#4. Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Bronze
Technically speaking, the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Bronze is just a bronze version of the Big Crown Pointer Date watch line.
However, this model perfectly showcases the ideal combination of traditional and modern materials.This bronze model features a 40mm case size and a fluted bezel with a large crown on its right side. It also comes with a full bronze bracelet to ensure maximum grip on the wrist.
Its blue dial (also available in brown, green, and red) is adorned with cathedral hands, numerals, and indices coated with white Superluminova.
#5. Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze
Another watch that has a deep military heritage is the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze. These watches are known for being rugged, robust, and resilient while maintaining their superb accuracy you can depend on.
These watches are presented in a 38mm bronze case that can develop a distinct patina depending on the user’s activity and environmental exposure, making every one of them unique from each other.
The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze is powered by the brand’s exclusive manual winding movement, which has an exceptional power reserve of 80 hours and a water-resistant rating of up to 50 meters.
Moreover, they also come with budget-friendly price tags, making them some of the best everyday watches made in bronze.
Bronze Watch Care – Conclusion
And that’s it!
Those are some of the most important tips and tricks you need to know for properly taking care of your precious bronze watches. We hope you can use this guide to maintain your watch collection’s optimal state for a long time.
Did you know David Beckham’s watch collection also has a bronze watch? Yes! And if you want to be inspired by his collection, you can check out our article about his timepieces here.
And if you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to leave us a message below.
