For those of us who like a 'Patinated' Bronze case watch and perhaps don't want to go to the trouble of taking a Raw (new/shiny) watch and letting the patina grow on it, CW has recently, quietly re-introduced a 'ready made' Patinated finish to their Bronze Case watches e.g. the C60 Pro 300 Bronze


The Patinated finish is also available on the C65 Sandhurst and Dune models, and probably others.


CW originally offered a Raw or Patinated finish to the Bronze C60 Trident Pro 600 43mm models; details in the CWArchive over the period 2017 - 2019 but then opted to only offer a Raw (new/shiny) finish on their bronze watches since.

I had a patinated C60 Trident Pro 600 GMT LE from this time for a while;-






.. . but more recently, about 18 months ago, got a C65 Sandhurst Series 2 and let the patina grow naturally;-




It's good to see the Patinated versions back.

Guy

timepieces_and_bags wrote: ↑Tue Oct 08, 2024 1:53 am Guy, I had seen this and was going to ask a (probably very stupid) question, now your post gives me an excuse to. Also since I was recently eyeing up the C60 Pro 300 Bronze.

I’m a complete novice when it comes to bronze watches, and I’m wondering the reasons you would or wouldn’t choose the patinated version?

Is it just a question of wanting the patinated look right now rather than going through the process both from a time and maybe skin/clothes transfer perspective?

On the flip side (and maybe I’m overly romanticizing it), I quite like the idea of instead going through the ‘journey’ oneself since then the watch is very individual to you.

As someone who’s done both, I’d be keen to know your thoughts.

Best,
TB

Good question/s TB.

I've come across a myriad of answers over recent years to preferences on Bronze case watches, some quite vehement, but for me I'm not really fussed either way and happy to take what comes. To be more specific . . . ..

As a general principal I feel that a Bronze watch should be patinated one way or another, albeit not forced to extreme. How this is achieved, I don't mind.

The C60 Trident Pro 600 GMT LE was a nearly new Sale purchase and in Patinated condition (as done by CW). Hobson's choice. As best as I aware, CW's method of patination is by exposing it to suitable vapour in an enclosed space. The patina produced is varied and fairly robust.

I had a Steinhart Ocean One, that had been patinated in a similar fashion by a previous owner. It looked good and I left it alone.






On the contrary I acquired an Audaz Bronzematic in 2020 and wrote at the time;-

"Been reading up on the different types of Bronze as, this watch being some months old already, I was curious as to why it doesn't really have any noticeable patina yet.

Seems that the CuSn8 bronze that Audaz uses develops patina slower than CuSn6 bronze, as used by CW and others."






In a similar vein, my Baltic Aquaschape is quite slow in gaining patina, but has a much softer look compared to a CW bronze as the bronze used by Baltic has a strong aluminium content to it.

Pic when new in December '23



and fairly recently in August '24




As to the "going through the process both from a time and maybe skin/clothes transfer perspective?" I've done that too, big time, with my C65 Sandhurst Series 2 and bronze bracelet. CW's bronze bracelet is that, BRONZE. No namby pamby steel layer next to the skin and it's a true 'you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs' watch.

I bought it new in April last year and have worn it fairly often (for me) with the desired result of it picking up some great patina, at the expense of a green wrist! As pointed out by @exHowfener there are points on the case, underside of the lugs especially, which have a polished sheen to them.

Also the patina on the bracelet has a different hue to it on the underside where it has been more exposed to perspiration but has been rubbed, compared to the top side.

A few pics in reverse chronological order;-

May '24








April '24




February '24








August '23






April 19th, '23

My C65 Sandhurst Bronze early evening yesterday (Monday) after a day out and about, with my wrist getting a bit hot and sweaty.

Patina on the bracelet is coming along nicely.






April 16th, '23 - as new





Hopefully, this has given you a good flavour of my thoughts but, at the end of the day (as my partner often says to me) "It's up to you"


Guy

PS> One can always go the half way route with a lightly patinated bronze watch from Elliot Brown, in this case a Holton Professional Automatic, with bracelet but absolutely no green wrist.





How come? Simple really; the bronze patina is a PVD finish on a steel case.

Best of both worlds @iain

Guy

I spotted that CW were now offering the patinated versions and had a similar thought to others that they might be returned or NOS. Given they are offered across all bronze options I'm wondering if it is more than that and they have a process to oxidise (for some chimney breast vents I soaked them in vinegar for a couple of days and went from shiny to patinated - wouldn't recommend with a watch though ).

I only have one bronze watch and wearing it today but it was second hand (C65 SH21) so had already developed a patina. Not sure which way I'd go with a new one. I like the idea of going through the process of developing my own patina from blood, sweat, and toil but I certainly prefer the look of the watch once it is patinated. Dilemma of having to wear a shiny bronze watch in order to get the patina, but then might wear it less so it would take longer..!