This is the time to note that most case manufacturers stamp their cases and not mill them. They are checked several times between the different stages so as to guarantee that they meet just a few thousandth of a millimeter in tolerance. This is of no surprise as that is what grants the material its desired attributes in terms of hardness, aesthetics and aging.Ĭases and all related parts undergo several stages of cuts that will slowly but surely bring them from a rough piece to the perfect, final shape. These molds mainly consist of copper, aluminum, nickel and tin but the exact composition will always remain a secret. To begin with, cases and components are milled from molded rods of bronze. We quickly learned that he and his team will make cases in stainless steel, titanium and other materials as well, but since we were here to gain special insight into how the bronze cases will be made for Anonimo’s upcoming collections, we concentrated on this outlaw of horological materials. Upon entering his workshop we were warmly greeted by him, some of his colleagues and, well, an armada of CNC machines, lathes and different polishing equipment. Although careful not to share any well-kept secrets, his passion for his trade amazed us all as he introduced us to some of the details of the base materials, the required machinery and their setup, and all the minute details that will get the final product as close to perfection as it is possible. Gianluca – seen on one of the images above – is that very typical kind of master craftsman who can just go on endlessly about the countless details of his trade. No fancy entrance or reception, just a large gate with a humble tablet that says: “Meccanica di Precisione, Gervasi & C”. His moderately sized workshop lies on the outskirts of Florence – and a workshop it is in the truest sense of the word. They are checked after each stage to meet tolerances of only a few microns. This is where Gianluca Gervasi’s Florentine workshop comes into the picture.Ĭases are cut from cylindrical molds using CNC machines or manual lathes. Finally, it’s rather difficult to make bronze cases and not many (if any) brands are capable of producing such cases in larger runs. Third, although secondhand prices have just about doubled for the two limited edition Panerais since they have all sold out quickly, it is unknown how bronze and its aging will affect the resale value of watches that have acquired a more worn look than others. However, given the increased probability for after-sales issues with bronze and how it alters appearance over the years, chances are that it will give some extra pain in the neck for brands. Secondly, it will require after sales service to handle these watches with special care not to damage the patina the owner has grown to love over the years. No brand wants to deal with such after-sales nightmares and therefore most of the time will use titanium or some other material for the case backs and the buckles. People scarcely wear bronze jewelry or other accessories and so are unfamiliar with the effects it might have once it spends longer times in direct contact with the skin. So what’s the problem? Most importantly, there might be allergic reactions depending on the wearer’s skin and the amount of time the watch is worn.
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