Who is UNIMATIC ? In conversation with the Co-Founders Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato
5 min read
Unless you have been hibernating or practicing the art of digital detox, you are certainly no stranger to the contemporary Italian watch brand - Unimatic watches. At the very first glance, with crisp and clean design lines, these watches exude minimalism and simplicity. Call it a brainchild or a passion project of two friends, Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato have designed and developed some of the most sought after watches in the "micro-brand" segment of the watch world.
UNIMATIC was born in Milan in 2015, the result of the collaboration between industrial designers Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato, as a continuous watchmaking research lab. From the very first watch created, the idea was simple: to offer watches that combine an essential design language developed from the tradition of industrial design with the best possible technical specifications. This conceptual approach allows UNIMATIC to truly return to an interpretation of the tool watch as a functional tool, in the pursuit of the perfect balance between high quality solutions and an affordable price. The Hour Markers caught up with Moro and Nunziato to know more about the brand, their vision and the way forward...
THM: With approximately 39 models and a production of less than 3000 pieces, Unimatic has already become a name to reckon with in the watch industry. What would you attribute this success to ?
Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato: Thank you, I think our brand has some very peculiar DNA traits that differentiate us from many. We pride ourselves on extensive and continuous design research, and in trying to deliver the best in class quality. We develop products following our own design grammar, regardless of the trends of the moment - in a way embodying an Avantgarde approach to a very traditional market.
THM: Be it the Modello Uno U1-A or the newly launched Modello Tre chrono-diver U3-U, the watches seem to be getting simpler and cleaner in terms of the functions and the design, yet selling like hot cakes. Besides minimalism, what would you say is the USP of a Unimatic?
Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato:I don’t believe there’s a silver bullet: it’s more like a recipe that we try to perfect 365/24/7. Our value proposition has always been clear and the more people experience the product first hand the more they become our best endorser themselves.
THM: We've seen a quirky SpongeBob SquarePants edition and a relatively simple Nigel Cabourn Modello too. Is there a particular direction for the brand?
Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato: Yes, our collab programs are quite heterogeneous and driven by the multi-faceted ness of our watches: we receive a number of enquiries on weekly basis: when we find brands or occasion we feel affinity with we try to investigate and hybridise our design ethos with some new concepts: it’s a challenging task we love and I think it helps us to re-think our product drop after drop. So coming to your question, there’s actually a number of direction are following. In my mind they all converge in a 3D vector-like path to a better product.
THM: Talk us through the "made to order" collection
Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato: Our MTO program is developed thanks to our friendship with Master engraver Stefano Muffolini. The heritage of this kind of engraving comes from the traditional firearms engraving school of Gardone Val Trompia, Brescia - Italy. Using the same ancient technique we are able to proceed to full customisation on the watch case surfaces, to provide to each of our collectors a truly unique timepiece, with a true one of one feel.
THM: Further expansion plans if any...
Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato: We have a number of developments in the pipeline, regarding new products and capsule collection on the existing references. We hope to grow our market penetration in beautiful India and we’re very grateful for the opportunity to be here talking with you!
Introducing the new Modello Tre chrono-diver U3-U
September 9th saw the introduction of Unimatic's newest collaboration with Uncrate, the leading buyer's guide for men and one of the largest men's publications - The Modello Tre chrono-diver U3-U. True to the DNA of the brand with bare minimum ornamentation, the dial here has been stripped of all the excessive markers, with the indices represented by lume-filled outlines and the matte aluminium bezel having just a single raised lume dot.
The Modello Tre chrono-diver U3-U still remains a fully-functional two-complication chronograph, with a Meca-quartz Seiko VK64 movement that combines the accuracy of quartz with the performance of a mechanical chronograph; and a thick double domed sapphire lens.
The 40mm steel case has a sandblasted PVD gunmetal grey treatment that comes with a storm grey TPU two-piece strap and a black heavy-duty Unimatic nylon NATO strap, in a case that holds both this watch and another, and a Unimatic x Uncrate two-year worldwide warranty card.
Limited to just 100 pieces globally, The UNIMATIC x UNCRATE Modello Tre U3-U is available exclusive at www.uncrate.com and www.unimaticwatches.com.
Retail price: 650 EUR excl.vat.
