UK-based microbrand Sabre Watches is expanding its lineup of rugged field watches with a new addition: the PO1 Bronze Limited Edition. Launched on Monday, August 4th, 2025, this latest model brings a fresh material twist to Sabre’s vintage-inspired designs. With its compact 36mm size and robust CuSn8 bronze case, the PO1 Bronze blends military cues with industrial and maritime heritage—offering a timepiece that’s both practical and deeply symbolic.

For a brand known for minimalist tool watches like the DL9, TS17, and CV35, the PO1 Bronze represents an evolution in both material and story—without losing what made the original Sabre watches so appealing in the first place.

What’s New: Sabre’s First Bronze Watch

While Sabre’s earlier models have all featured stainless steel construction and stark, legible dials, the new PO1 Bronze brings a fresh aesthetic and a deeply symbolic design direction. The bronze case isn’t just for show—it’s a material long associated with naval equipment, diving gear, and ship components.

CuSn8 bronze, known for its durability and attractive aging, will naturally develop a patina over time—creating a watch that evolves with its wearer. It’s a personal, ever-changing finish that reinforces the watch’s storytelling potential.

This release also debuts a compact, vintage-inspired 36mm case, keeping the proportions faithful to mid-century military designs while remaining wearable for modern tastes. With a lug-to-lug length of 45.6mm, thickness of 13mm, and 20mm lug width, the PO1 wears compact but purposeful, aided by robust specs like 100m of water resistance, a screw-down crown, and a flat sapphire crystal.

The Industrial and Naval Roots of the PO1

Sabre isn’t just introducing a bronze case—they’re telling a local story through material and meaning.

The PO1 is proudly assembled in the North East of England, and its design reflects that regional heritage. “The bronze case nods to the shipbuilding legacy of Middlesbrough and the naval heritage of Tyne and Wear. In the 19th century, these areas were known for producing bronze and steel components used in maritime applications—from ship hulls to diving helmets.

By using bronze, Sabre isn’t simply offering a trendy material, but they’re referencing the past, acknowledging their roots, and connecting their watches to the industrial stories that built the region. It’s a deliberate design move that elevates this watch beyond its function and toward meaning.

A Reliable Heart, Regulated with Care

Inside the PO1 Bronze beats the familiar Seiko NH35, a workhorse movement known for reliability and serviceability. Sabre elevates the NH35 by hand-regulating each movement in three positions—face down, crown down, and crown up—targeting ±5 seconds per day.

Even more impressively, the regulation is done across different power levels: once at full power reserve, once after 24 hours of running, and again once fully unwound and rewound. This level of care is rare in watches at this price point, let alone microbrands.

Buyers will receive a regulation card documenting the results—an excellent detail that reinforces Sabre’s hands-on approach and transparency.

What You Get in the Box

Pre-orders will come well-equipped. Each PO1 Bronze will arrive in a brown leather travel roll, alongside a brown leather strap, a high-quality green NATO-style strap, and documentation including a 2-year warranty card and regulation certificate.

Shipping is free worldwide, and the PO1 Bronze is limited to just 20 pieces. Pricing is set at £285, but early buyers will benefit from pre-order discounts:

• 20% off the first 5 units
• 15% off thereafter during the pre-order phase

Pre-orders open on August 4, with assembly and regulation scheduled to begin in mid-September. Sabre aims to ship by November 1, but based on previous campaigns, early shipping is a strong possibility.

The Full Sabre Lineup: Still Going Strong

While the PO1 Bronze is stealing the spotlight this season, Sabre’s core collection remains as compelling as ever. Each model—DL9, TS17, CV35, and TW4—shares the same attention to detail, bold case design, and commitment to storytelling through local heritage.

Rather than being stripped-down tools, these watches reflect distinct themes tied to the landscapes and industries of the North East. The DL9, for instance, pairs a deep black dial with subtle texturing that nods to Britain’s coal mining legacy. The TS17, with its crisp white dial and black hands, pays homage to RAF-issued pilot watches and the aviation history of Thornaby-on-Tees. The TW4, featuring a green-to-black gradient dial, bridges the industrial with the natural—capturing the contrast between steelworks and the surrounding parks and countryside. And the CV35, with its brown gradient dial, draws inspiration from ancient British castles and iron-rich terrain.

These aren’t generic field watches—they’re regional tributes built into bold, H-style stainless steel cases. All come in at £219, making them an accessible entry point for collectors who appreciate design with a sense of place.

Final Thoughts

The PO1 Bronze isn’t just a new watch from Sabre—it’s a thoughtful take on local history and classic field watch design. Rather than simply adding another case material, Sabre connects the watch to the industrial and maritime heritage of the North East of England, giving it a deeper sense of purpose.

In a landscape filled with endless field watch options, the Sabre PO1 Bronze sets itself apart through thoughtful material use, local production, and limited availability. If you’re a fan of vintage military watches, bronze cases, or microbrands with personality, this is one to watch—literally and figuratively.

Only 20 pieces will be made – reserve yours now at sabrewatches.com.

Sabre PO1 Bronze – Specs

• Size: 36mm
• Lug-to-lug: 45.6mm
• Thickness: 13mm
• Lug width: 20mm
• Case material: CuSn8 bronze
• Water resistance: 100m
• Crystal: Flat sapphire
• Crown: Screw-down
• Lume: C3 Super-LumiNova on hands
• Movement: Seiko NH35 automatic, hand-regulated to ±5s/d
• Straps included: Brown leather strap + green NATO-style strap
• Extras: Leather travel roll, regulation card, 2-year warranty
• Retail price: £285
• Production: Limited to 20 pieces
• Shipping: Free worldwide