As I sit here, months after acquiring my Longio Zhuke timepiece, I contemplate the unique patina that has formed on its bronze case. Unlike traditional dive watches that are commonly made with steel cases, the Zhuke boasts a more modern appearance with its bronze casing. Although the reason for bronze’s recent surge in popularity remains unknown to me, I suspect it may be due to the way it quickly develops a vintage appearance and its color that falls somewhere between steel and gold. Despite its tendency to oxidize rapidly, I have noticed that many bronze watch owners appreciate the individuality that comes with the aging process, often choosing not to polish their timepieces.
I am noticing that my bronze Longio Zhuke watch is taking on a vintage appearance. Although I can’t quite explain why, I find this transformation to be rather interesting. The patina on the surface of the watch doesn’t appear dirty, and it still maintains a smooth texture when I run my finger across it. While I appreciate the allure of the bronze aesthetic, it’s not necessarily something I would want for all of my watches. However, for those with an extensive collection of diver’s watches, I would highly recommend considering a watch like the Longio Zhuke.
As a Chinese watchmaker, Longio takes great pride in their unique style and cultural identity. Although their primary business revolves around supplying watches and cases to various brands across the globe, Longio remains dedicated to showcasing their brand’s identity through their own creations. One of their latest models, the Zhuke, features similar elements found in a watch produced for a smaller brand named Olivier, such as the bronze case. However, the Zhuke sets itself apart with its distinct dial and strap design, despite sharing the same movement as Olivier’s watch.
Zhuke, produced in China, utilizes a Swiss ETA 2824 movement, which is likely to satisfy many timepiece enthusiasts, despite the relatively high price point offered by Longio. In truth, numerous “Swiss watches” feature Chinese-made cases, dials, and straps, in addition to ETA movements. So, what sets Longio Zhuke apart? There isn’t much that distinguishes it other than its association with a Chinese brand, which is quite cool. The watch features Chinese characters on the case and is named “Zhuke” in Chinese. For those interested in purchasing a Chinese watch, this is a great option, especially considering that it is a limited edition model.
The Zhuke is a dive watch designed for sports enthusiasts, with an impressive set of features and an attractive appearance. Its case measures between 44 and 45mm and is capable of resisting water up to 500 meters, with an added helium release valve. Additionally, it boasts a rotating bezel with lume indicators, which contrasts well with the bronze case and bezel. However, due to bronze being unsuitable for prolonged contact with skin, the caseback is made of steel, and the crown is PVD black with the Longio logo. The watch is available with an olive green or black dial, and while the green dial complements the bronze color, the classic black dial was ultimately my preferred choice.
The timepiece features a sapphire crystal above the dial, ensuring clear readability. Despite the relatively flat dial, which I typically avoid preferring more depth, the colors and bold contrast of the hour markers have captured my attention. Longio has executed the design with stark utilitarian qualities, including appropriately sized hands and excellent lume with super LumiNova applied to the hands and hour markers. The only downside is the absence of lume on the seconds hand.
Longio took great care to ensure that the date dial of their watch matches the color of the main dial, which is black. It’s not uncommon for watches to overlook this small detail and have a white date disc, but Longio made sure that there was no jarring white element that didn’t fit. Additionally, the date is placed between 4 and 5 o’clock, so as not to disrupt the hour markers. If you’re not actively seeking it out, the date is inconspicuous and blends seamlessly into the background.
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of tonneau-style dive watches with round dials. They exude a sturdy and durable appeal while remaining comfortable on the wrist. The lack of lugs also ensures that the watch case fits snugly on most wrist sizes. Longio includes both a black silicon and black leather strap with the Zhuke model, as well as a convenient strap changing tool. With the plethora of interesting strap options available, this watch would look great with a variety of styles.
The Longio Zhuke watch has very few drawbacks, except for the fact that the brand’s website provides no information about it and it is not readily available outside of Asia. As a supporter of Longio, I believe that more people should have the opportunity to discover this brand. Despite their limited marketing, Longio strives to create unique and compelling timepieces, which is commendable given the prevalence of copied designs in the Chinese watch industry. Only 200 pieces of the Zhuke will be produced in each dial color, making it a rare and exclusive piece. To purchase one, however, you will need to navigate the Chinese e-commerce website. The Zhuke is priced at $2,980.
No comments yet.