Meant as an all-out homage to 1970s-era sports watches, the Modello Uno ref.U1S-ET pretends to be an unassuming matte black diver, but it has a top-secret alter ego that’s one of the coolest looks since Unimatic blasted off with NASA.
The 40mm U1S-ET features Unimatic’s signature diving dial in matte black, ringed by Super-LumiNova C1 white markers. The hour hand sports the same color, making the chunky, dark orange minute hand and 12 o’clock lumes practically pop off the dial. Things get really wild after the lights go out: the white features all swap to a deep green that looks like so much Matrix computer code. Combined with the orange minute hand, it’s a striking effect.
A double-domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal provides protection and visibility in all light conditions. The watch is water-resistant down to 300 meters for those who dare. Automatic caliber Sellita SW200-1 movement keeps things ticking along, with 38 hours of power in reserve just in case. The watch ships with a black nylon NATO strap that wearers should immediately swap for the included orange one.
This new piece is Unimatic’s latest collab with the aptly-named Exquisite Timepieces in Naples, Florida. Priced at $1,150, and created in a unique edition of only 100 pieces, the watch will be available online, but lucky snowbirds can snap one up in-store just in time for a post-workout brunch as it has just released.
In other horological news, check out the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Blacklight Monobalancier.