HAMBURG Automatic dark blue bronze / metal strap 20 bronze

Committing to one metal tone from lug to clasp takes some nerve. The Sternglas HAMBURG Automatic in dark blue and bronze does exactly that, pairing its bronze-tone case with a matching bronze-tone steel bracelet and letting the dark blue dial supply the only contrast.

Named for the city where Sternglas is based, the HAMBURG line takes its cues from seafaring measuring instruments. That means a dial built for reading at a glance, with bold numerals, a fine outer minute scale and Luminova on the hands and markers, plus a screwed caseback engraved with a map of Hamburg showing the Alster, the Reeperbahn and the Speicherstadt.

The 42 mm case is 316L stainless steel in a bronze finish, with a domed satin dial in dark blue beneath double-domed sapphire and double anti-reflective coating. The Miyota 8215 beats away inside, an automatic calibre with 42 hours of reserve, hacking seconds, manual winding and a date display. Water resistance is 5 bar, and the 20 mm metal bracelet closes the loop on the monochrome idea.

Full metal gives the watch weight and presence, which suits the 42 mm case and the instrument-flavored dial.

Perfect for: all-metal bronze-tone watches, 42 mm steel bracelet automatics, instrument-style dial watches.