Even among seasoned snazzy dressers, accessorizing is one of the hardest things for a guy to do. Luckily, you can get your hands on one of the best bronze watches to elevate your swag to the next level.
I tend to like my accessories with a bit of wear on them and nothing makes a bronze watch look better than a bit of patina. Add a fantastic outfit to the mix, and you have yourself a look that tells a story and gets people’s heads turning.
It might not seem like a big deal, but the kind of watch you wear says a lot about you. Whether you’re looking for something high-end or just a budget watch to get you through the day, I’ve got you covered.
Without any further ado, let’s strap in and dive into the fabulous world of the best men’s bronze watches.
Key Takeaways
For this article, I’ve scoured the internet high and low to find the best bronze watches and these 7 won’t be going out of style anytime soon. When it comes to watches, it’s important to consider functionality, quality-of-build, and of course, cool factor.
For my money, the Christopher Ward C60 Pro 300 is the best bronze watch on the market right now because of its gorgeous design and quality-of-life features. As for something a bit more casual and affordable, you can always fall back on the MINILUIJA and its evergreen aesthetic.
Why it’s great: The Christopher Ward C60 Pro 300 is about as bougie as bronze men’s watches get. From the beautiful twin-flag engraving to the lacquer finish, everything about this thing screams class and poise. The watch’s dial even adapts to the lighting conditions – no more taking out your phone to check the time in the dark.
How it feels: To absolutely no one’s surprise, few watches are as satisfying to wear as a Cristopher Ward. If you’re not a fan of textiles, you can always opt for the rubber one for added comfort or even go leather. Also, the case is sculpted in such a way that it won’t ever put pressure on your wrist.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The C60 Pro 300 Bronze just came out in 2023, and you’d be hard-pressed to find any faults with it (slim pickings on criticism among watch lovers online, too). The worst part might just be having to wait for the patina to set in!
Case Size: 42mm | Movement: Automatic | Thickness: 11.5mm | Material: Bronze case, Tide Ocean textile/ brown oak leather/ rubber hybrid strap
Why it’s great: Would you believe that one of the best bronze watches of 2023 costs less than a restaurant meal? A watch can rarely fool me with its price, but the beautiful case and elegant leather strap exude a kind of swagger well above the MINILUIJA’s price range. On top of that, quartz watches are making a comeback, so you can expect a reliable watch with a good shelf life.
How it feels: Considering the price, you’re getting a pretty comfortable watch out of the deal. The leather is high-quality and feels nice on the wrist, and the case gives your hand plenty of room to breathe.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The holes on the MINILUIJA are few and far between, so bigger guys may have a hard time getting it to stick.
Case Size: 38mm | Movement: Quartz | Thickness: 10mm | Material: Bronze case, leather strap
Why it’s great: Boddery is a serious heavyweight in the bronze men’s watch department, and the Dive Watch is up there as one of the best. All bronze watches look great when they oxidize, but tin bronze ages like a fine wine. You can get it in three gorgeous color palettes, although I think red really pops.
How it feels: Cow leather is a great material for watch straps because it’s extremely breathable, and this is no exception. Swimmers and divers needn’t worry – as the name suggests, the strap on the Dive Watch will be every bit as comfortable after a saltwater swim or three.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: One reviewer noted that this watch ran a little fast, so if precision is your game, you’ll want to spring for something a little more sophisticated.
Case Size: 40mm | Movement: Automatic | Thickness: 12.5mm | Material: Tin bronze case, leather strap
Why it’s great: I’m a huge fan of vintage watches, and the Baltic Aquascaphe is a personal favorite. This thing is the epitome of retro with its minimalist interface and elegant numbers, not to mention that timeless copper color. The double dome sapphire is a nice touch as it would take a fair bit of effort to dent or otherwise damage it. For all the swimmers out there, fear not, you can take this thing diving without having to worry about water damage.
How it feels: Tropic rubber straps are always a plus, so the Aquascaphe should feel nice and snug on most wrists. The hole positioning is also quite generous, making the watch easy to adjust if needed.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The buckle can feel a bit constrictive on larger wrists. Still, it’s nothing that a pair of pliers and a steady hand can’t fix.
Case Size: 39mm | Movement: Automatic | Thickness: 13mm (11mm without glass) | Material: Bronze case, bronze buckle, rubber strap
Why it’s great: This beauty is living proof that a watch is equal parts accessory and art piece. A modern spin on the classic 20th-century diver watch, the Longines Legend Diver boasts a gorgeous green dial, making its beautiful case stand out that much more. Needless to say, it can withstand incredible depths, and the 72-hour power reserve makes it extremely low-maintenance overall.
How it feels: With such a high-quality leather strap, you won’t have to worry about this watch hurting your wrist. Also, in case you’re allergic or sensitive to copper, the titanium caseback should keep your skin from making contact with the bronze.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The lack of an external bezel might be a turn-off for some, but the watch’s presentation is so beautiful I could never hold it against it. Besides, the inner bezel more than makes up for it!
Case Size: 42mm | Movement: Automatic | Thickness: 22mm | Material: Bronze case, leather strap
Why it’s great: A good watch doesn’t have to be overpriced or in-your-face fancy. ADDIESDIVE’s Bronze Pilot Watch is dependable, fairly priced, and comes without unnecessary bells and whistles. It does have a cool party trick – it can glow in the dark, which gives it a cool cyberpunk look!
How it feels: Suede leather is my favorite material for watch straps, and it looks especially good on an honest-to-God, 100% bronze watch. The modestly sized case makes the watch super-compact and easy to tuck under your sleeve.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This watch is a little plain-looking compared to some of our other picks as it’s more of a utility watch than a fashion statement.
Case Size: 39mm | Movement: Automatic | Thickness: 13.8mm | Material: Bronze case, leather strap
Why it’s great: No list of the best bronze watches for men would be complete without this beast. The Bulova Precisionist Chronograph Watch is exactly what it says on the box – it keeps time with exceptional precision thanks to its chronograph quartz movement, and it looks amazing while doing it.
How it feels: As amazing as the Bulova looks, it’s probably even better to wear. You hardly even feel any of its bulk, and I guarantee you won’t have a hard time getting it to fit no matter your wrist size.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you don’t have much experience with see-through hands, the interface takes some getting used to. Once you get the hang of it, though, you won’t want to take it off your wrist.
Case Size: 46mm | Movement: Chronograph quartz | Thickness: 17.5mm | Material: Stainless steel bronze case (ion plated), leather strap
Buying Considerations for the Best Bronze Watches
If you play your cards right, your watch could be your trusty pal for years or decades on end. To get the most out of your purchase, consider these factors before making your decision:
Case size
The size of your case should generally depend on the size of your wrist. Most men’s wrist circumference falls somewhere north of 6.5 inches. For guys with small or medium-sized wrists, a watch with a 40mm case tends to be ideal. For the bigger guys out there, you can easily find watches with 46mm cases or above. Beyond style points, it’s also worth remembering that a larger case makes it easier to read the time.
Still, keep in mind there’s no clear-cut “rule” for how big your case should be. It’s possible to pull off a big watch on a small wrist, but it might not be a good look at the office or a formal dinner. Different watches work better for different occasions, so use your common sense and try not to overdo it.
Material
The good thing about bronze men’s watches is that you can rock lots of different straps depending on your style. It’s hard to go wrong with a bit of brown leather to go along with that classic copper tint, and it’s pretty comfortable on the wrist too.
If you’re looking for something a bit more elegant, metal straps might be the best choice for you. I’d stay away from plain-looking nylon unless you wear your watch to the gym since it makes the bronze case stick out a little too much. Either way, comfort should probably be your number one priority when thinking about materials.
Movement
Simply put, a watch’s movement is the mechanism it uses to keep time. The three kinds of watch movements are quartz, automatic, and mechanical. Quartz watches are the most straightforward since they’re battery-operated, so they need very little maintenance. The drawback with these is that you need to replace the battery every few years.
In theory, mechanical watches should last the longest since they don’t rely on an internal battery. Instead, you’ll have to wind up the individual cogs and pieces by hand to keep the watch alive for years on end. Automatic watches are similar, only they rely on a system of rotors that don’t require daily winding.
If you’re not fussy about the upkeep, you may want to pick based on how you want the hands to move. Quartz watches tick once per second (meaning sixty ticks a minute), while mechanical and automatic watch rotations are smoother.
Why you should trust us
We at FashionBeans know a thing or two about all things man, and I happen to have a niche interest in the best men’s bronze watches myself. In putting together this list, I went over the biggest names in the wristwatch industry, and after thorough research, I managed to narrow it down to 7. I genuinely believe there’s a watch out there for everyone, and I’m confident these picks are the best of the best.
Final Verdict
If it’s not clear by now, there are so many amazing men’s bronze watches out there that it’ll make your head spin. Sporting a timeless look and an ever-dependable build, the Christopher Ward C60 Pro 300 is the premier bronze watch to get in 2024.
If you’ve got some cash saved up and you’re not afraid to spend it, there’s always the Longines Legend Diver and its gorgeous fumé dial. For budget-wary shoppers, you can rely on the MINILUIJA to keep you looking classy at a reasonable price.
FAQ
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Bronze watches contain a lot of copper, which means they begin to oxidize over time. When that happens, the watch begins to lose its original color and turns gray or green. Every bronze watch oxidizes at different rates and spots, so two identical watches can look very different after a year or two. It’s possible to “de-age” bronze watches, but patina is what gives them their charm in the first place. Let nature take its course, and chances are you’ll love your watch even more.
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