In this edition of aBlogtoWatch’s “Watch What-If” series, designer Niklas Bergenstjerna re-imagines some modern dive watches with a vintage bronzed look. Initially inspired by the Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition Dive Watch, Niklas imagined what some some contemporary divers would look like if bronze were the material of choice rather than steel. The four watches he re-imagined are: the Bremont Supermarine 500 (seen above and reviewed here); the TAG Heuer Aquaracer (hands-on here); the Cartier Calibre Diver (reviewed here); and the Breitling SuperOcean Heritage Chrono (reviewed here). Here is what Niklas has to say:

Oris recently released their retro-designed Oris Divers Sixty-Five in a limited-edition bronze version. The warm appearance of this new watch really puts in perspective the impact material has on a watch design. Could bronze be an opportunity to breathe new life into some of the classic marine inspired watch designs?

Panerai, for example, has a rich history of bronze watches. Should the established brands explore bronze further? Here are a few examples of some classics turning bronze to get your imagination going.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer with a deep blue dial and bronze case evokes a feeling of the mystery of the deep along with the feeling of whimsical adventure that comes with the idea of diving for sunken treasure.

The Cartier Caliber Diver in bronze with an almost oxidized green leather strap is certainly something you’d expect to find on the wrist of a well traveled ship’s captain or admiral.

The Breitling SuperOcean Chrono with dark brown dial is moody and evokes the dark unknown of the endless ocean at night.

It would be pretty difficult to talk about Cartier Watch 95336 Replica without using the word “elegant,” as cliched as it might seem. The notion of “elegance” that the Cartier Tank so well reflects was a concept that was a great deal more relevant through lots of this 20th century than it is among today’s increasingly casual civilization where those values might be seen as stuffy and anachronistic – at least, in many regions of the world. Watch enthusiasts exclusively interested in sport and tool watches may not find much of interest from Cartier at all, as even sportier-leaning watches such as the Calibre still maintain that debonaire Cartier poise. I, for one, enjoy relish dressing a “dressy” (I like the term simple) watch sometimes, and don’t have need to save something similar to the Cartier Tank Solo XL for a black-tie occasion (whatever that is). Small birds tell me there is even a fast change strap system on the way with this model.You very much know what you are getting with a Cartier Tank, and the important question is really how well the Cartier Tank Solo XL Automatic signifies the Tank and its own lineage, and also how it fares one of its competition.The competition is necessary to consider when assessing a product’s value proposition, but it’s also fun to think about watches which may offer similar appeal at other price points. When considering alternatives to the Cartier Tank Solo XL, first are those from Cartier itself. There is a good chance that if you like the Tank, you may appreciate more of what the newest offers – be it a Tank or alternative collection household.

The Bremont Supermarine 500m has a bezel that is almost reminiscent of the suckers on an Octopus tentacle, and the bronzed dial looks like the watch has spent years at the bottom of the ocean.

Niklas Bergenstjerna is a freelance graphic designer and watch lover based in the south of Sweden. niklex.com