Back in Black: Isotope x Espiral do Tempo’s Old Radium Black Ink Bronze

by Brent Robillard

Ode to Simplicity

When I first met José Miranda, founder of Isotope Watches, it was in the buzzing halls of the Toronto Timepiece Show—a venue where innovation mingles with nostalgia, and where true enthusiasts aren’t afraid to take risks. José struck me as exactly that kind of watchmaker: part designer, part raconteur, and fully in love with the objects he brings into the world. His watches are never cynical, never calculated; they are the products of a restless and enthusiastic mind—one that reads widely, watches deeply, and pulls ideas from architecture, cinema, and graphic design with equal ease.

So when I first laid eyes on the new Isotope Old Radium ‘Black Ink Bronze’, made in collaboration with the Portuguese magazine Espiral do Tempo, I was caught off guard. It’s not whimsical. It’s not space-age. There’s no obvious asymmetry or playful twist. Instead, here is a watch that plays it straight: all bold contrast, aged lume, and bronze brawn. But in its restraint, it may be one of the most daring pieces in the entire Isotope catalogue.

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Key Features of the Isotope Old Radium Black Ink Bronze

Black as the First Colour

The design is built on a single, fundamental decision: go black. Not charcoal. Not fumé. Not tropical patina. Just black—lacquered, high-gloss, and absorbing the light like fresh ink on archival paper. It’s a deliberate throwback and a stylish contradiction to today’s rainbow dial trend.

The inspiration? Rock n’ roll, yes. But also the printed word. Espiral do Tempo, a Lisbon-based publication celebrating its 25th anniversary, remains one of the most respected and thoughtfully curated magazines in the horological world. Black is the colour of its ink, its headlines, its typefaces—the DNA of its language. And here, in this 65-piece collaboration, black returns as the foundational hue.

A Familiar Shape with New Purpose

Let’s start with the case: 40mm in CuSn8 bronze, brushed and muscular, sitting just 10.1mm tall and 47mm lug-to-lug. It’s compact, traditional, and extremely wearable. Over time, this bronze will oxidize (as it has already in the photos here), picking up the scent of its wearer and the air it travels through. The patina isn’t just aesthetic—it’s autobiographical.

Flipping the watch reveals the sandblasted titanium case back—a hypoallergenic choice that’s smart and functional. Peek through the sapphire window and you’ll find the Swiss Landeron 24 automatic movement, complete with Côtes de Genève and perlage finishing, 25 jewels, and a 40-hour power reserve. It’s not haute horlogerie, but it’s robust, reliable, and above all, thoughtfully chosen.

There are only two lines of text on the dial—no Isotope lacrima, no logo—and it’s a move that works brilliantly here. This dial doesn’t need a signature; it has presence. The bold Arabic numerals are filled with Old Radium Super-LumiNova, echoing the glow of a bygone era. The hands, bronze sword-shaped and lume-filled, keep things sharp and legible. And the black date wheel at 3 o’clock is a stroke of discipline that many brands still forget—cohesive, quiet, and in harmony with the rest of the design.

(Hint: If you are looking for the lacrima, flip the watch over and check out the divots)

The dial is covered by anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and the whole watch is good for 100 metres of water resistance, thanks in part to the screw-down crown.

A Magazine Worth the Collaboration

If you’re unfamiliar with Espiral do Tempo, now’s the time to get acquainted. What began as a local Portuguese print magazine has blossomed into a vital voice in the global watch community. Their editorial tone is reflective, literary, and genuinely enthusiastic—avoiding both hype and snobbery in favour of something more enduring. That this collaboration exists at all speaks to José Miranda’s respect for the written word and those who read it.

In many ways, the ‘Black Ink Bronze’ is not just a tribute to a publication; it’s a tribute to the act of observing, reading, collecting, and curating—to the slow-burning obsession shared by editors, writers, and watch collectors alike.

SPECS

Case	316L Stainless Steel Gold PVD 40mm Diameter 47mm Lug to Lug 10.1mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Case Back & Crown 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Sapphire Crystal Lacquer Dial Raised Indexes Sword Handset Old Radium Super-LumiNova
Movement	Landeron 24 25 Jewels 28 800bph 40-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Leather Strap

^{Isotope Old Radium Black Ink Bronze}

Final Thoughts

This is not a flashy watch. It is not trying to win Instagram. It’s a watch for people who understand that sometimes, black is not the absence of colour—but the first colour. It’s a quiet, contemplative object that gains personality with wear and gives the stage to its materials.

And in the sea of neon-orange divers and pastel green field watches currently crowding the scene, that feels downright radical.

Pricing & Availability

The Isotope Old Radium ‘Black Ink Bronze’ retails for $1373 USD ($1872 CAD) and is limited to 65 pieces. For more information, keep your eye on the brand website.

About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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