What You Need to Know About UNIMATIC Watches in 2024

2024 is the best time to buy a watch. When we think about our next watch, many of us ask ourselves similar questions. How will this watch look in my wrist video? Will the Pride & Pinion subreddit critique my choice? Does this watch complement my wardrobe? And most importantly, which watch offers the best performance and build quality for my budget?

While the appeal of mainstream brands like Rolex, Omega and Grand Seiko cannot be ignored, UNIMATIC and other microbrand watches offer exceptional value in today’s watch market.

The world of micro watch brands is growing rapidly in the watch scene, making the decision-making process quite daunting and, if you’ll pardon the pun, time-consuming.

But among this multitude of options, UNIMATIC watches stand out this season. This relatively new Italian microbrand has quickly become a favorite for its tool watches, striking a perfect balance between minimalist, industrial design and a deep appreciation for watchmaking history.

But let’s back up for a moment. What exactly defines microbrand watches?

Where all the magic happens: What are microbrand watches?

Mention the term “microbrand” to a watch enthusiast and their eyes will widen with excitement and they will list all the hidden gems and top players – UNIMATIC is sure to be mentioned in the discussion. But what exactly is a watch microbrand? According to watch guru Teddy Baldassarre himself… “A microbrand is a limited production watch company that usually specializes in a particular style and does not have the resources to produce its own calibers or other exclusive pieces.” . ”

These watches stand out from the general public by offering unique regional, manufacturing or design perspectives, usually in limited quantities. However, this exclusivity is far from being a disadvantage.

The best microbrand watches, like UNIMATIC, offer remarkable value for money, sometimes rivaling watches two to five times the price. They combine careful design with vibrant storytelling, resulting in exceptional watches that are visually striking on the wrist. In a relatively short period of time, UNIMATIC has not only embraced the microbrand ethos, but also expanded its appeal to the mass market.

The reason is simple: UNIMATIC watches are well-crafted, combining quality and design in a way that resonates with watch lovers around the world.

UNIMATIC makes some of the finest watches in Italian watchmaking history.

Even if Italian watchmaking isn’t your forte, you’re probably familiar with some of its notable contributions. Renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and bold design principles, Italy has produced icons such as military-inspired Panerai and avant-garde Bulgari. While its footprint on the global watch scene may be modest, its influence is undeniably profound and far-reaching.

This tradition of being a leading brand in the watch industry is continued by the innovators at UNIMATIC. Located in Milan, this watch microbrand was founded in 2015 by friends Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato.

The two men, who met while studying at the Politecnico di Milano, shared a passion for industrial design and vintage watches. This enthusiasm for some of the watch world’s most famous icons would later shape the team’s design ethos.

“The design concepts behind this were to take inspiration, reference or elements from several classic dive watch designs and mix them into one watch,” the founders told Gear Patrol.

Even if you only have a basic knowledge of watches, UNIMATIC’s design language is likely to resonate with you, perhaps evoking a sense of nostalgia. Since day one, the Italian brand has had a strong focus on “design first.” Take the Modello Uno, UNIMATIC’s first entry into the market, for example.

Its case and dial echo the styles of Blancpain and Rolex, and the bezel resembles that of the Omega Seamaster 300. These elements are all present, but they are distilled to their essence and functionality, giving each watch a unique and captivating appearance.

This makes the brand special for those who have spent hours leafing through old watch reference numbers and have an extremely long list of vintage watches saved in their Instagram folders.

Since the launch of the Modello Uno, UNIMATIC has expanded its range, incorporating field watches and chrono divers in a wide mix of materials and styles.

Despite this expansion, UNIMATIC watches have achieved iconic status within the watch community, often becoming a coveted item for collectors looking for a unique addition to their collection, provided they can get their hands on these fast-selling watches.

UNIMATIC watches are limited edition, minimalist and highly functional.

“Are UNIMATIC watches good watches?” is a common question asked in watch subreddits. And those who have spent time with UNIMATIC will tell you that they are excellent watches, among the best in the sub-$1,000 category.

What sets this watch apart from most others is UNIMATIC’s meticulous and thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and dedication to performance. You won’t find any “toy watches” here. Moro and Nunziato have a deep respect for functional design and timekeeping engineering.

“From a designer’s perspective, the dive watch was born for one reason: as a tool. It’s a very accomplished object. To use a metaphor, let’s talk about a hammer. The hammer design has been perfected for thousands of years. There’s not much you can do to improve it,” the duo explains, speaking about the design process for their dive watch.

“In a way, we felt that the dive watch was similar. There is very little to invent on a tool watch. Our goal was to make a kind of synthesis of what had been done before, in a modern way and at a price accessible to the greatest number.”

Functionality and form are omnipresent thanks to the brand’s commitment to minimalism and Bauhaus aesthetics. This minimalist approach highlights the elegance of the watch’s design, devoid of unnecessary markings other than those essential to tell the time or operate an additional complication. The monochrome color combinations embody a philosophy of “beauty in simplicity,” exemplified in the watch brand’s most popular models.

Their design is always robust, often equipped with a brushed 316 stainless steel case in a very wearable 38 mm to 41.5 mm case – the size of which depends on the specified model. The watches include an internal anti-reflective coating, luminous indexes for night wear, are anti-magnetic ≥ 4800 A / m and have an impressive water resistance of 300 m.

All watches are made in a Milanese workshop and are powered by a Swiss-made Seiko or Sellita movement. But you always have to be quick when a new UNIMATIC piece catches your eye.

To ensure a truly unique product experience, each UNIMATIC watch is individually engraved with a progressive serial number, indicating the total number of pieces produced for that specific reference. Once a model is sold out, it becomes history: UNIMATIC never reproduces the same model again, making each watch a distinct and exclusive Grail.

UNIMATIC has already mastered the art of watchmaking collaboration.

UNIMATIC has not only expanded its “Made to Order” collection but has also become a leading collaborator in the watch industry in recent years. The brand partners with various companies to enhance watch history, advance functionality, and experiment with new case materials like carbon fiber and blue-washed steel, all while adhering to its core design philosophy.

UNIMATIC has collaborated with notable entities such as NASA, Hodinkee, Massena LAB, Spongebob and MoMA, to name a few.

Most recently, UNIMATIC is partnering with Highsnobiety and Disney Studios to create an exclusive capsule collection commemorating Disney’s 100th anniversary, available exclusively on the Highsnobiety store starting November 22.

Although less than a decade old and relatively new to the watchmaking world, UNIMATIC has a remarkable knack for creating memorable horological moments. Their commitment to balancing history, performance, and aesthetics positions them as a disruptive force in the industry and a personal favorite for my wristwatch videos.