of the watch collaboration studio, Massena LAB, the latest big name to team up with Unimatic to create a special edition of the Italian watch brand’s flagship diver, the Modello Uno.
This is essentially a Modello Uno, a watch that we have seen here a dozen times in one guise or other but perhaps this one comes with some real horological cred’ thanks to Massena LAB.
It also boasts a first for Unimatic, who are well-known for their sterile diver’s bezels as this is the first time they have put a 15 minute dive-time-scale on the bezel of one of their watches.
The bezel’s classic black inlay also features a red triangle dot marker, reminiscent of the Rolex 6538, made famous by Sean Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger.
Unimatic say of the watch’s 120-click bezel - one that it hangs slightly over the diameter of the watch so that is more ergonomically friendly but that is also audibly and tactilely pleasing!
The Modello Uno U1-ML6 has a 40mm Stainless steel case; housed inside is an automatic caliber; not a Swiss one but the standard Seiko NH35A 21600bph, with a power reserve of 41 hours.
Special features of the watch include a galvanized dial. Each one went through a galvanization process, fading from its original black color to its tropical, warm brown tone.
As each dial reacts differently to the process, no two are exactly alike – creating a truly unique watch.
In addition, the dial has hand-applied SuperLumiNova on its hands and markers – so that it is entirely hand-made (or in Italian) “fatto a mano”. Fatto mano? I’m trying to keep a straight face.
On the backside of the watch, there is a detailed engraving of the Greek god, Poseidon.
Aside from the reference to the god of the sea, the engraving pays tribute to World War II hero and veteran Alastair Robertson, an officer in the British Royal Navy.
Before his retirement, he served as the navigator for the aircraft carrier HMS Ocean, the ship’s crest was that of Poseidon.
Fitted with a Horween Shell Cordovan Color 8 strap, the Unimatic x Massena LAB U1-ML6 comes with a black, heavy-duty nylon NATO strap for added versatility.
Each limited edition is housed in a branded UNIMATIC x Massena LAB tough case with a 24 months warranty card and unique ID seal and is part of a unique edition of 99 pieces.
Thoughts? It’s good to see Unimatic using a proper 15-min scale on one of their divers for a change.
I like the dial but the case-back is a bit of a cliché and the story behind it (besides being ironic coming from an Italian brand) is a little cheesy. What do you think?
Not bad, original
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