While it is primarily known for its shaped watches (AM2, Mansart…), March LA.B also offers more classic models that are not without interest.
Thus, the French brand known for its “refined watches” does not hesitate to display a more sporty face with its models subtly inspired by surfing like the Belza and the Bonzer. In 2024, the latter is revamped with a beautiful black dial and a bronze case.
March LA.B reinvents its surfing watch
If you hear “surf watch”, you probably think of a colorful rubber or silicone model, sporty, fun or even completely offbeat. At March LA.B, however, the surfer wears a decidedly more elegant outfit, whether it’s the Bonzer or its big Basque sister, the Belza. Yet, the French brand carries this surfing spirit in its DNA. Even in its name, as the three letters LA.B refer to Los Angeles and Biarritz, cities where the co-founders of March LA.B reside…
The Bonzer was born in 2018. Rather than the octagon of the AM2, this surf watch sports a more classic round case and a clean and sleek dial. Revisited several times since its launch, the model has (almost) always retained these main features without ever forgetting to take care of the details. This is still the case with the Bonzer Bronze unveiled in this spring of 2024.
The size remains unchanged with a diameter of 41 mm and a thickness of 12.25 mm, but as its name suggests, it’s bronze that’s on the menu this time, instead of steel. A first limited edition with this precious material had already been launched in 2022, but the watch was then fitted with a green dial. Today, the Bonzer Bronze relies on the combination of black and gold (or rather bronzed) and the result is even more attractive.
As always at March LA.B, the crown is positioned at 4 o’clock and should not be hesitated to look at it more closely to admire the engraving details. There, one discovers the iconic lines of the brand, which are also found on the rotating bezel. This latter holds an insert of black scratch-resistant ceramic with stunning effect, punctuated by beige graduations that match perfectly with the bronze.
The matte black dial appears very sleek, with a sandblasted finish, simply traversed by two discreet perpendicular lines. The date window logically takes place at 3 o’clock and stands out by the green color of its number 3; again a simple detail, but a strong element of the March LA.B DNA, just like the gold chiseled indices on the inclined rehaut and the “hollow” hands.
Having long relied on Miyota to power its watches, the brand turned to a French-Swiss G-100 movement, developed at La Joux-Perret before being assembled by Humbert-Droz in Besançon.
The complete features of the watch
| Case | Satin bronze Dimensions: 41 mm in diameter, 12.25 mm thick Rotating bezel with black ceramic insert Domed anti-reflective sapphire glass Screwed steel back Waterproof to 100m |
|---|---|
| Dial | Black dial Indices and hands in gold steel Custom MARCH date window |
| Strap | Black silicone strap Lug width: 20 mm |
| Movement | Automatic G100 calibre Power reserve: 68 hours |
| Recommended retail price | 1995 euros |
In summary, our opinion on the March LA.B Bonzer Bronze
Along with titanium, bronze is the other indispensable metal in watchmaking today. While the former can bet on its lightness and strength, the latter stands out for the patina it acquires over time: the case of this Bonzer watch will evolve with the wearing of the watch, oxidizing slightly on contact with air and skin and in places taking on this famous green-gray tint.
For the rest, we find in this variant all the elements that have contributed to the success of March LA.B so far: the style is ultra-refined, sober but full of details, and the assemblies are of quality. This is still felt in the choice of the silicone strap, which features the signature lines of the brand and helps to assert the character of the watch (even though it also tends to attract dust!).
Finally, it is obviously necessary to talk about the price of this watch. If March LA.B has managed to make a special place for itself in the accessible luxury segment, it is because it offers a viable alternative to certain (often Swiss) more reputable brands. Priced at 1995€, this Bonzer Bronze made in France is perfect proof of this, positioning itself as a serious competitor to Oris Divers Sixty-Five, Seiko Prospex and other references from Squale, Edox, Nivada or Mido for example.
