Redentore Bronzo: A Testament to Italian Craft

Article by Marc Levesque; photography by Brent Robillard

The Bronze Redeemer

Venezianico was established in 2017 and has quickly become one of the most prolific independent watch brands to emerge from Italy. They offer five distinct collections, which include chronographs, integrated bracelet sports watches, and skeletonized dive watches. All of them fall within the “affordable” watch space. This is remarkable, as each line is well elaborated, and the design language is consistent across collections.

^{Venezianico Redentore Bronzo @calibre321}

The common issue with many small independent watch brands is that they often begin with a well-developed design for their debut watch, something they’ve dreamed of creating for years. However, they frequently encounter a “sophomore slump” with their second offering, resulting in a product that falls short. Alternatively, they may change the colour, adjust the font, and present it as a new watch. What is astounding is the breadth of Venezianico’s offerings.

In less than ten years, their catalogue resembles that of a brand established for decades. Today, we are reviewing the new Redentore Bronzo, model number 1221555. The Redentore collection, which means “savior” or “redeemer” in English, is inspired by the Basilica del Redentore, designed by the father of Neoclassical style, Venetian architect Andrea Palladio. Its harmonious shapes and proportions create an elegant, contemporary design, making this model versatile.

Check out the Venezianico Redentore Bellanotte

Key Features of the Venezianico Redentore Bronzo

Case and materials

As its name implies, this watch is crafted entirely from QAI9-4 bronze, which is an aluminum and copper alloy rather than a traditional copper and tin. Aluminum bronze is much stronger and provides better corrosion resistance than conventional bronze. This makes it ideal for harsh environments, such as marine applications, where strength and corrosion resistance are crucial. It also has a yellower gold tone, and while it will patina, it won’t do so as quickly, nor will it corrode as much.

According to my calipers, the Redentore Bronzo measures 40.2mm at the case and 40.4mm at the bezel, as it does overhang by just a tiny bit. It is 10mm thick, and its lug-to-lug measurement is 46.7mm. Due to its thin bezel and dominant dial design, this watch appears larger than its actual size, yet it fits comfortably on wrists of all sizes. The watch features highly polished top surfaces, while the sides of the case are beautifully brushed. This combination creates a stunning contrast from a profile perspective on your wrist.

Case back

The design of this case demonstrates a great deal of thought and consideration. While it appears simple at first glance, its profile showcases exquisite downturned lugs and elegantly shaped crown guards. In contrast to the case, the back is crafted from brushed stainless steel and features an engraving of the legendary Horses of St. Mark. The Horses of St. Mark (Cavalli di San Marco), also known as the Horses of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, is a set of bronze statues that originally adorned a monument depicting a four-horse chariot used in racing.

I strongly advocate for case back engravings, especially well-crafted ones. Although this one is relatively shallow, it is still impressive. However, when I see four horses like this, I don’t think of the Horses of St. Mark; instead, a song by Metallica comes to mind, and I bet it’s the same for our colleague Tyler Frederick. Horsemen are drawing nearer – On leather steeds they ride – They’ve come to take your life – On through the dead of night – With the four horsemen ride – Or choose your fate and die. – The Four Horsemen.

I took a moment to listen to that song. Now, back to reviewing this watch. The case back is secured by six screws, which provide water resistance up to 50 meters. The bronze crown does not screw down but features an embossed Venezianico cross logo at its center. Interestingly, since the crown is the most frequently used interface with the watch, it has started developing a little patina. The polished slim bezel around the flat sapphire crystal is slightly domed, enhancing the elegant presentation.

Dial

Beneath the crystal lies where the magic unfolds. Each dial is crafted from hand-antiqued brass and boasts a weathered finish. Since this process is entirely handmade, no two dials are precisely alike. The dial features no additional elements besides the finish and the applied Venezianico Botany Cross logo. Incidentally, the Botany Cross is a symbol of heraldry that represents faith, wisdom, and chivalry. This is somewhat amusing since there are no indices, markers, or tracks; it requires a bit of faith that the hands are pointing in the correct direction.

Blank dials have existed for a very long time. Movado’s 1947 museum watch, designed by Nathan George Horwitt, is a prime example that comes to mind when thinking of this type of dial. While I understand that many people appreciate this design, I would struggle to read the time at a glance. I am also on record for prioritized precision and accuracy; this dial style does not align with those values. However, if this watch is intended for special occasions, as it certainly could be, I could make an exception and accept it.

Movement

The beautifully polished gold-tone dauphine hands are powered by an up-market Japanese Miyota 9039 automatic movement. This 24-jewel automatic caliber operates at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour, has unidirectional (clockwise) winding, and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Introduced in 2018, it is part of Miyota’s 9000 series of movements. It features standard timekeeping with a 3-hand display and does not include a date function, eliminating the possibility of a phantom crown position. Our review sample tested at +15 second face up or down and +4 second crown up or down.

Strap

The watch is secured to your wrist by an Italian leather strap. It showcases a brushed, almost distressed appearance that complements the textured look of bronze. The strap goes from 20mm at the case and tapers down to a svelte 16mm at the buckle. Speaking of buckles, this one is outstanding. It is crafted from brushed and polished bronze and features the Venezianico logo, which is deeply engraved to the right of the tang. One detail rarely seen at this price point is curved spring bars and a shaped strap that fits the case perfectly. I truly admire this. Kudos to Venezianico.

Ruminations

I began this review by noting Venezianico’s prolific nature. Because of this, I admittedly did not pay much attention to their watches, which I now realize was a mistake. I recognized this when I visited their display table at the Toronto Timepiece Show last September. They had a large table filled with various watches, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that many of them impressed me much more than I had expected. Often, not all of them are successful when a brand produces many watches and maintains multiple lines. I’m thinking of the Dartmouth brands here.

It also makes it challenging to select a watch. Grand Seiko comes to mind with this issue. They release so many editions with different dial textures, colors, materials, and movements that it’s almost like paralysis by analysis, and they are all fantastic. There are too many choices, and you always wonder if the next one they release will be the one you like best. So, you wait.

^{Comfortable on a variety of wrist sizes @calibre321}

I counted 36 different Venezianico Nereide dive watches, which feature dials ranging from malachite to aventurine. The cases are available in bronze, steel, and carbon, and the bezels can be made of steel, ceramic, tungsten, or carbon. Additionally, you can choose a watch with or without a GMT function. And there’s even a size choice of 39mm or 42mm, but do you know the most significant problem? Choosing one!

There are only 18 different models in the Redentore line, and while that may seem like a lot, the variety in their appearance makes choosing one easier. The designs differ significantly, featuring elements like off-center time displays and regulators. If I had to pick one, I am pretty sure I would choose the Bronzo model. My collection lacks a dressy watch that can also be worn with casual clothing. This watch is versatile, but unfortunately, I won’t have it long enough to see its patina develop.

Specs

Case	316L Bronze QAI9-4 40mm Diameter 46.7mm Lug to Lug 20mm Lug width 10mm Thick 50m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Sapphire Crystal Aged, Hand-antiqued Brass Dauphine Handset
Movement	Miyota 9039 Automatic 24 Jewels 28 800vph 41-Hour Power Rewerve
Strap	Distressed Italian Leather

Venezianico Redentore Bronzo

Final Thoughts and Pricing

If you’re searching for something unique and enjoy variety, consider Venezianico. I find the Redentore Bronzo to be an impressive watch. If it had even small markers, I would have purchased it right away because I like it that much. Do you know what I appreciate most about this brand? Aside from the fact that I can finally type the name without needing to check the spelling, it’s their prices! This review model is priced at just €615.

Wait a minute. Maybe they’re onto something! Keep the prices low, so you don’t have to choose just one! Ha! Would you look at that… Them Italians be sneaky!

About the author

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Marc has been an enthusiastic watch collector for well over three decades. Having witnessed and participated in the birth of the internet watch community, he has played a role on multiple watch forums and his articles have appeared on-line and in print since the late 1990s. Today his passion for all things horological is as pronounced as it has ever been, while he continues his never-ending search for watch next. You can follow him on Instagram.

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