Introducing: The Bremont Terra Nova Bronze Collection — Bronze Is Better Than Steel
What’s better than steel? You don’t know how to answer that? I get it. Let me answer the question myself. Bronze is better, and the Bremont Terra Nova Bronze collection proves me right since it outshines the initial steel models introduced last year. And do you know what’s better than plain old bronze? CuAl7Si2 is. This is the high-strength cupro-aluminum alloy Bremont uses to create cases and bracelets. Pre-Watches and Wonders 2025, the British brand introduces three new modern field watches in that alloy — the Terra Nova 40.5mm Date Bronze Green, Terra Nova 40.5mm Turning Bezel Power Reserve Bronze Caramel, and Terra Nova 42.5mm Chronograph Bronze Green.
I bet you remember last year’s introduction of the Terra Nova collection. To put it mildly, the new range of field watches sparked quite a bit of controversy. A new watch with a new logo proved a lot to take in for many watch fans. Overlooked was the fact that Bremont used more resilient 904L steel over the widely used 316L steel to create a qualitative, geometric cushion-shaped case with a low profile and shortened lugs. The Terra Nova is a contemporary take on the traditional field watch. In bronze, the concept works arguably better.
Linking bronze to the nautical realm is a no-brainer, but when the alloy is matched with dark green and light brown dials, the result is a watches that work well on solid turf. Interestingly, the three newcomers display small aesthetic changes compared to the steel models introduced last year. The dials of the bronze models show a smaller logo, and the chronograph and power reserve models with turning bezels have smaller numerals on the dial. The result is a better visual balance without sacrificing readability.
The Bremont Terra Nova Bronze Collection
CuAl7Si2 bronze does indeed patina but not in the way a less sophisticated alloy does. It won’t turn black or green quickly but, rather, will slowly get darker. The oxidation process is gradual and more controlled, resulting in a subtle patina with a distinguished look. In other words, it will age like Sean Connery, not … (you can fill this in yourself). Using this bronze for the three new Terra Nova models gives them a warmer and more luxurious look compared to the originals in steel. If you’re interested in the qualities of CuAl7Si2 bronze, the alloy is highly workable and helps create the Terra Nova’s detailed two-piece watch case. CuAl7Si2 is also a hypoallergenic alloy, making it suitable for watches and bracelets worn directly on the skin. Furthermore, this type of bronze is more resistant to scratches than traditional bronze alloys.
Terra Nova 40.5 Date Bronze — The bronze base model
The green-dial Terra Nova 40.5 Date Bronze is available in three variations. A sum of €3,900 buys you the field watch on either a black and green NATO-style strap or a green nubuck strap featuring cream box stitching. Both are 22mm wide and come with a buckle in bronze-colored PVD-treated steel. The price of the full-bronze small-link bracelet is €4,300.
The brushed and polished two-piece bronze CuAL7Si2 case features a push-pull crown and has a 40.5mm diameter, an 11.11mm thickness, and a 47mm lug-to-lug length. When you flip the watch over, you will discover it has a decorated bronze-colored PVD-coated 904L stainless steel case back. Inside the 100m-water-resistant case beats caliber BE-36AE. This is a modified automatic Sellita SW200-1 movement with 38 hours of power reserve. It moves the three rose-gold-plated central hands around the dial and powers the date indicator at 3 o’clock.
An antireflective and scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal offers a clear view of the gradient green metal dial outfitted with numerals crafted from blocks of Super-LumiNova. The pronounced numerals look good in daylight but shine in the dark because of the long-lasting luminosity.
The limited-edition Terra Nova 40.5 Power Reserve Bronze — A watch you can’t get lost with
The Terra Nova 40.5 Power Reserve Bronze has a bidirectional bronze CuAL7Si2 bezel engraved with compass markings to ensure you won’t lose your way wherever you are. This €5,350 limited edition of 100 pieces comes with a bronze CuAL7Si2 bracelet as well as a tan leather strap with cream box stitching and a bronze-colored PVD-treated stainless steel pin buckle. The two-piece case has mostly the same dimensions as the above three-hand model, but it’s 0.2mm thinner at 11.9mm thick. Inside it, we find a gradient caramel dial that looks more ready for the desert than the forest-proof Terra Nova 40.5 Date Bronze and the chronograph version. Apart from the compass function you need to figure out before you set off to the wild, the watch features a power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock. Also, like all Terra Nova models, there’s 3D vintage Super-LumiNova to help you in the dark.
The 100m-water-resistant case holds the BE-79AL movement, a modified automatic Sellita SW279 movement with 31 jewels, a Glucydur balance wheel, an Anachron balance spring, and a Nivaflex mainspring. This 4Hz movement provides 38 hours of power reserve.
Counting time with the Terra Nova 42.5 Chronograph Bronze
The biggest and most complicated watch of the new trio in bronze is the green-dial Terra Nova 42.5 Chronograph Bronze. Its 100m-water-resistant case has a 42.5mm diameter, a 14.8mm thickness, a 48.8mm length, and a 22mm lug spacing. Inside it beats the BE-50AV caliber, a tuned version of the robust, reliable, and accurate Sellita SW510 BH a. This automatic movement features a 56-hour power reserve, small running seconds at 9 o’clock, a sweeping central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and a date at 6. Apart from the chronograph function, the Terra Nova 42.5 Chronograph Bronze is outfitted with a bidirectional bronze CuAL7Si2 bezel with a black ceramic compass insert. You can time events and navigate yourself out of the wilderness, making this watch a versatile tool.
The watch comes on either a refined bronze CuAL7Si2 Y-link bracelet featuring a quick-release system and practical butterfly clasp, a green nubuck leather strap with cream box stitching and a bronze-colored PVD-coated stainless steel pin buckle, or a black and green NATO-style strap with stainless steel hardware, again, with a bronze-colored PVD finish. The last strap might look familiar because Tudor also uses fabric straps crafted on traditional looms from the 1800s. This bronze Terra Nova chronograph costs €6,400 on a strap or €6,850 on the bronze bracelet.
Thoughts on the Bremont Terra Nova Bronze Collection
As I write this, I’m completely coincidentally wearing my “Fratelloris,” a watch with a bronze case. This bronze shows some black spots but mostly an even patina that beautifully matches the oxblood dial. I like it. I like the way the material looks warm and alive. Anyway, if you ask me, the Terra Nova looks better in bronze than in steel. The alloy’s color suits the case’s shape better, uplifting the overall appearance and giving it more presence. The smaller logo on all versions and the smaller numerals on the compass- and chronograph-outfitted variations are a nice little improvement too. But the bronze, that ancient metal, gives the new Terra Nova watches a more mature and confident look.
What do you think of the Bremont Terra Nova Bronze Collection? Is it an improvement over last year’s steel models? As always, share your opinions in the comments.
