Unimatic Joins Forces With Italian Military For Esercito Italiano Collection

Known for its minimalist tool watches designed with an Italian flair, Unimatic is one of the stars of the “microbrand” scene. Established in 2015 by Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato, two industrial design students at Politecnico di Milano, the company quickly grew as word of their innovative — and highly affordable — timepieces spread like wildfire throughout the industry. Partnerships with everyone from Japanese streetwear retailers to HODINKEE to Massena LAB followed, giving the Italian upstart further cred in a highly competitive space.

Unimatic’s latest offering, the Esercito Italiano, is a collection of three limited-edition timepieces with ties to the brand’s own Italian heritage. Paying homage to the Armed Forces of the Italian Republic, the collection includes two different versions of the beloved U1 dive watch, modified with compass bezels for overland navigation and graced with the logo of the Paracadutisti, the Italian army’s paratroopers. This is joined by a special version of the U4 field watch, executed here with a green dial and smooth bezel made in honor of the Comando Truppe Alpine, Italy’s elite alpine warfare forces.

The Modello Uno U1-PA, a limited edition of 300 pieces, features a brushed, stainless steel 40mm case with Unimatic’s distinctive, highly lumed black dial, plus a rotating compass bezel, screw-down crown, 300m of water resistance, and the Paracadutisti bade — a pair of wings with parachute and stylized five-point star. Paired to a camouflage NATO strap inspired by the Vegetato camouflage of the Italian armed forces, it’s uniquely suited to adverse conditions.

Joining the Modello Uno U1-PA is the Modello Uno U1-PAN, a limited edition of 150 pieces featuring a black DLC case. Otherwise identical to the Modello Uno U1-PA, it’s perfect for someone who wants to fly under the radar. Rounding out the squad is the U4-TA in honor of the Comando Truppe Alpine, one of the oldest mountain warfare units in the world and well known for its defense of the Alps. Based upon Unimatic’s U4 field watch platform, this limited edition of 200 pieces features a matte, olive drab dial adorned with the Truppe Alpine wordmark, plus a 40mm stainless steel, sandblasted monobloc case paired to a foliage-green rubber TPU strap with sandblasted hardware.

Robust, handsome, utilitarian and — best of all — highly affordable at well under $1,000 each, the three watches of the Unimatic Esercito Italiano collection are the perfect timepieces for modern adventures. Unimatic.