I briefly considered removing the shroud to inspect it further and prevent the screws from freezing in place as the oxidation built up, but having read more than one story in the forums about owners of non-Seiko tunas struggling with stripped or broken screws, I decided to leave well enough alone. Taking stock, I discovered a nearly pristine shroud and bezel, an already darkened crown, and a shiny gold underside and lugs that I assumed were PVD-coated. I clicked “add to cart,” and in no time, the watch was on my doorstep. That gold-on-black dial muted the logo and text and keyed well with the case. The Steeldive was the clear winner for four reasons: 1) it was faithful to the original design, 2) it was inexpensive (under $200) 3) according to the catalog listing, it had a stainless steel case under the exposed bronze, so I could be reasonably sure any violence I inflicted upon it would not damage the important parts and, 4) the lugs were gold, not silver like some of its rivals. Seiko does not dabble in bronze, so I looked at the many Chinese factory brands that turn out homage watches. I had nothing like that in my collection, and given the deeply weird nature of the shrouded design, I thought it would look even cooler with a creepy patina. I got the bug after trying on a fellow collector’s original 1970s vintage Seiko “Grandfather Tuna” at an event. It had to be a new one purchased for this specific purpose. If I was to launch a full-bore assault on a bronze case, it couldn’t be on a watch with which I had already formed an attachment. Moreover, exposure to chlorides, like plain old salt, can create an irreversible reaction known as “ bronze disease” that breaks down the metal itself. Chemically forcing a patina will radically change the appearance of your watch, and while there are several methods of removing it, I have found that some stains are stubborn, requiring heroic polishing efforts to remove completely, if at all.

We’ve covered forced patinas on these pages before (see Mr. I’ve only ever attempted the mildest of patina experiments (boiled egg in a bag) on one or two, and that’s the way they are going to stay. I already own several bronze/brass watches, but I like them just the way they are. I’ve already shown my steps on Instagram, but this post will get into the details, including some mistakes that you would be wise to avoid.įirst, I needed a donor watch.

It was an absolute blast, and I am proud of the result. My vision was the Bronze Tuna Shipwreck Patina Project not the gradual tarnishing that naturally occurs on such watches, but my own somewhat fanciful idea of what extreme aging and wear might look like. Now, I will tell you what I did with that watch a journey into the world of amateur chemistry with a little bit of artistic flair thrown into the mix. In my last article, I told you about the Steeldive SD1975S bronze tuna I purchased.

Bronze watch natural patina