Bronze has enjoyed a horological renaissance over the past few years so it’s no surprise to see Rado jumping into the mix with the new HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition. What’s different about this watch is that rather than focusing on a solid bronze case, the brand combines bronze plating with the brand’s customary use of high-tech ceramic.

By combining the two materials, Rado has created a fascinating juxtaposition through the use of the world’s oldest alloy in bronze and the very contemporary ceramic. If you look at the above image, you can see that the solid matte black case and bezel are made from the scratch-proof ceramic, while the side inserts and pushers are constructed from bronze. In person, the watch looks very modern and this mixture provides a fairly interesting dual-layer construction that distinguishes itself from any other watch in the brand’s collection. The dial features vertical brushing which really makes the whole thing pop. The rose-gold-colored hands and Arabic numerals also work nicely with the bronze additions, rounding out the whole layout. While the bronze will, of course, age with time and develop a well-worn patina, the ceramic should stay spotless and remain virtually ageless.

The movement inside the 45 mm timepiece is the workhorse 12 1/2 ETA 2894-2 with a 42-hour power reserve.

The watch is a limited edition of 999 and while the official price has yet to be confirmed, expect it to land in the $5,000 range when it’s released in June.