At the tail end of last year, we reviewed the inaugural Rheon collection from Greek microbrand Monovant, a pair of cool cushion cased watches with lapis lazuli or jade dials. Just over half a year later the collection makes a return but this time with a suite of aesthetic and material updates across its case and dial. The new series is the Rheon Bronze.
Starting with the case, as the name suggests it swaps out steel for bronze. It retains the same tonneau-esque cushion shape, measuring 40mm in diameter with a 47mm lug-to-lug, but this time in a rich brown colour as opposed to the cold grey of steel. I find that the bronze really accentuates the distinctive shape of the collection and the semi-matte finish means that while it is still reflective it doesn’t feel too dressy.
There’s more to a bronze watch case than just the colour though. The material naturally develops a patina over time showing the heritage and history of each individual watch in a personalised way. The Rheon Bronze is specifically made from a bronze alloy called QAl9-4, which is a marine-grade alloy known for its high tensile strength as well as its dark brown patina as opposed to the green verdigris seen on other bronze alloys. However, one issue with bronze watches is that the metal can react to prolonged contact with the skin, which Monovant have made sure to avoid by fitting the watch with a hypoallergenic titanium caseback.
Alongside the bronze case, there are also some bronze features that have been added to the dial. Unlike the original Rheon models, the Rheon Bronze introduces a full hour and minute scale to the display in the titular metal. The peripheral minute scale is particularly impactful because it consists of varying lengths that turn the cushion profile of the dial at the edge to a circle profile in the centre, which completely alters the look of the watch. It adds a lot more structure to the display and is my single favourite update from the original collection to this one.
A second change to the dial is that it is not made from precious stone. Instead, Monovant have used a silk-printed fumé gradient over a finely textured base creating a smoky impression in either brown or blue. While the brown is thematically appropriate for the bronze collection, the smokiness of the blue is particularly attractive. In the centre of the dial, where the colour is strongest, you have the central handstack with hour and minute hands. The two versions are also presented on colour matched Italian leather straps made in Greece.
Inside the watch is the Sellita SW200-1b automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve. If you were to remove the caseback you’d see its updated finishing. Additionally, the calibre is held by a new carbon fibre ring designed to improve the watch’s shock resistance, protecting it from knocks and bumps.
The Monovant Rheon Bronze is priced at €1,250 (approx. £1,080) and is available with a 15% discount during the pre-order period. I really like this update to the collection. The addition of the timing scales turns the Rheon from more of an artistic object into a proper timepiece and I cannot overstate how much of an impact the shape of the minute scale has on the overall impression of the watch. The new dials are also executed nicely too.
Price and Specs:
More details ay Monovant.
