Unimatic Modello Uno Gets Serious About Diving with New U1S-PD3 & U1S-PD5

Unimatic’s enigmatic dive watch, the Modello Uno, is largely celebrated for its simple design that’s almost conceptual in nature, with minimal representative elements that deconstruct the normal design cues we expect from such a watch. They are beautiful as a result, but never quite rose to the realm of practical dive watch. Unimatic captures an experience, and they do so quite effectively. If you enjoy the Unimatic vibe, but need something a little more performance oriented, their latest releases within the Modello Uno range look to cover new ground. These are the ProDivers references, the U1S-PD3 and U1S-PD5, pairing Unimatic design to a more funcion driven platform. 

The pair of watches are straightforward in nature, but instantly recognizable as Unimatic thanks to their strong design language. In practice, these watches bring a lot to the table, and for the first time feel like a viable option as ‘tool’ divers. The biggest step is the inclusion of a fully indexed bezel for measuring elapsed time, a departure from the generally sterile bezel units fitted to these watches. Additionally, the robust case design, which is rated to 300 meters in the PD3, and to 500 meters in the PD5, are presented in a new slimmer package underneath a 2.5mm thick double-domed sapphire crystal. A redesigned crown tube with locking system allows for the impressive depth ratings in both cases.

Both watches utilize a 40mm steel case that measures 41.5mm at the width of the 120 click bezel, which houses a ceramic insert with BGW09 markers. The PD3 case measures 11.6mm in thickness, while the PD5 makes do with 12mm, both measurements are exclusive of the crystal, but wearability should be excellent thanks to the thoughtful case dimensions. They’ve trimmed their cases in recent years, and moved to Swiss Sellita movements within, again in an effort to firm up the usability and wearability of their watches beyond the aesthetic. 

The matte black dial hosts stark white hour markers and hands, but things get a bit wild in the dark here. The hour markers, the hour hand, and the reverse lollipop second-hand feature white custom emission OL orange Super LumiNova applications, and glow orange in the dark, while the remaining elements, the minute hand and the bezel insert, will glow blue. It’s a dramatic shift from the relatively sober appearance in daylight. It’s a reflection of what these watches represent, a serious dive watch that’s not afraid to embrace some aesthetic flair just for the sake of it. 

Both the U1S-PD3 and PD5 ship on a charcoal gray TPU two-piece strap with an extra charcoal gray seatbelt NATO strap in the box. Pricing begins at €1,100 for the PD3, and at €1,200 for the PD5. Each will be limited to 500 units produced. More on these new divers from Unimatic.