For its latest new release of 2024, Unimatic has introduced the Toolwatch series as its second permanent collection of timepieces. Designed for maximum durability with quartz movements and internal shock-absorbing mounting systems, the new Unimatic Toolwatch collection is tested to MIL-STD-810 standards (outlined by the U.S. Department of Defense), and it spans four different models based on the brand’s Modello Uno and Modello Quattro silhouettes, with each available in either a time-only or GMT format. Among the series is the Unimatic Modello Quattro Toolwatch UT4-GMT featured here, which is an overbuilt and ultra-rugged field watch with the added functionality of a secondary timezone display.

While the two Modello Uno models from the new Unimatic Toolwatch collection (UT1 and UT1-GMT) are dive watches fitted with unidirectional countdown bezels, the pair of Modello Quattro Toolwatch models (UT4 and UT4-GMT) are the field watch equivalents that feature the same middle case paired with an extra-wide fixed bezel. Aside from their bezels, the rest of the watches are largely identical, and all of the Unimatic Toolwatch models feature the brand’s 360° shock-protection system, along with an ample 300 meters of water resistance. While Unimatic has produced numerous different collaborations and limited editions, the new Toolwatch series is joining the lineup as the brand’s second permanent collection, and the quartet of new models will be offered alongside the four Classic series watches (UC1, UC2, UC3, and UC4) as the cornerstone offerings within the Italian brand’s catalog.

While many timepieces offer generous levels of water resistance, an ultra-durable watch also needs to be highly resistant to impacts, and this is a major focus of the Unimatic Toolwatch collection. In addition to opting for quartz movements, which are inherently more shock-resistant than their mechanical counterparts, Unimatic has also designed a 360° protection system that surrounds the movement/dial assembly to absorb harmful impacts. Sitting under the caseback is an orange cup-shaped structure that protects the sides and lower surface, while an orange ring is placed between the dial and the upper part of the case to suspend the entirety of the internals within a rubberized structure that protects it from all angles. The three enemies of wristwatches have always been moisture, impact, and magnetism, and the use of a quartz movement, combined with a shock-absorbing mounting system and a dive-worthy case provides the Unimatic Toolwatch collection with extremely high levels of durability.

Developed by the United States Department of Defense, MIL-STD-810 outlines a series of tests that replicate the effects of demanding environments to assess the durability of equipment. The tests include evaluations for resilience of everything from rapid changes in temperature and air pressure to gunfire vibration and corrosion resistance caused by humidity, fungus, and saltwater. Outlined by MIL-STD-810, impact resistance is assessed by a drop test from 1.22 meters (4 feet) onto an industrial concrete floor, and this is just about a worst-case scenario for most watch owners. The drop test was conducted 26 times (one for each surface, corner, and edge), and all five of Unimatic’s test units survived the MIL-STD-810 evaluation process without exhibiting any catastrophic damage or functionality issues.

As for the Unimatic Modello Quattro Toolwatch UT4-GMT featured here, its case is constructed from 316L stainless steel with a matte sandblasted finish, and the watch measures 40mm in diameter by 12mm thick, with drilled lugs that are set 22mm apart and extend to create an overall lug-to-lug profile of 49mm. Protecting the dial is a 2.5mm-thick flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on its internal surface, while a screw-down crown sits between two large guards on the 3 o’clock side of the case. Just like its three siblings from the Unimatic Toolwatch collection, the reverse side of the Modello Quattro UT4-GMT is fitted with a brushed stainless steel screw-down caseback, and each watch’s individual serial number is engraved in the center of the brand’s “X-Ray” motif.

While the lugs of the Unimatic Modello Quattro Toolwatch UT4-GMT are fairly short, they don’t offer much downward curvature, which means that the case has the tendency to sit flat on top of the wrist, rather than wrapping it around like a watch with dramatically curved lugs. Individuals with smaller wrists may find themselves wishing that the lugs angled downwards a bit more, especially if their wrists are more round than oval-shaped at the location where they wear their watches. However, his rather bold and chunky profile feels entirely appropriate for an unapologetically rugged tool watch like the UT4-GMT, and I personally find that it only feels slightly oversized once I strap it down to my 6.5 to 6.75-inch wrist. Additionally, for those curious about weight, the Unimatic Modello Quattro Toolwatch UT4-GMT comes in at approximately 80.5 grams, or 95 grams if you factor in its included black nylon two-piece strap.

All four of the Unimatic Toolwatch models feature a matte black dial with white markings and small orange accents, and unlike its time-only siblings, the Modello Quattro Toolwatch UT4-GMT features a circular date window at 6 o’clock, along with an additional arch-shaped aperture below the 12 o’clock marker that serves as a secondary timezone display. Luminous Arabic numeral indexes are surrounded by a printed minute track, while a bright orange triangle points to a rotating 24-hour disc to display the secondary timezone through the window located on the upper section of the dial. Displaying the time is a trio of centrally-mounted hands in Unimatic’s usual style of pointed segmented batons for the hour and minute hands, along with a needle-shaped seconds hand fitted with a luminous counterweight, and all of the hands and hour markers receive an application of C1 Super-LumiNova, which provides them with a green-colored glow in the dark.

Powering the Unimatic Modello Quattro Toolwatch UT4-GMT (and the UT1-GMT dive watch) is the Swiss-made Ronda Caliber 515.24D quartz movement, although the two time-only models from the brand’s Toolwatch series receive the Seiko Caliber VH31A meca-quartz movement, which emulates the “sweeping” motion of a mechanical seconds hand. Running on a single 371 battery with an expected life of approximately 45 months, the Ronda 515.24D offers “caller” style GMT functionality with independent adjustment for both its date and secondary timezone display. While I can certainly appreciate “flier” style GMT movements that can rapidly be adjusted to reflect your current timezone, I significantly prefer the “caller” style when it comes to GMT watches like the Modello Quattro UT4-GMT that track their additional timezones as a secondary display on their dials.

All four of the new Unimatic Toolwatch models are completed by black nylon two-piece straps, which maintain a constant 22mm width and rely on a single fabric keeper paired with a sandblasted stainless steel pin-buckle. Although the included straps are fairly stiff right out of the box, this is simply due to their extra-robust construction, and each side is made from two layers of woven nylon fabric that are fused and stitched together to offer additional support. After a few days of normal wear, the strap will begin to soften and conform to the shape of your wrist, and while I imagine that most owners will be tempted to experiment with various leather and NATO alternatives, the included strap is an entirely serviceable option that feels true to the ultra-rugged, no-frills spirit of the Unimatic Toolwatch collection.

Provided that gaskets are routinely replaced, most modern watches offer far more water resistance than what is required by the vast majority of the population, although I’ve always felt that impact resistance was one area where brands could still make significant advancements. Back when I used to work on the service side of the industry, far more watches were submitted for repair due to impact damage than moisture intrusion, and even the most burly mechanical divers can have their timekeeping impacted by a simple drop onto a hard surface. While Unimatic is best known as a design-focused brand, its new Toolwatch collection places a strong emphasis on functionality, and everything about the series is designed for maximum durability, while still maintaining Unimatic’s signature aesthetic identity.

A key feature of a successful tool watch is a reasonable price point, and regardless of their capabilities, luxury-oriented tool watches will rarely ever experience demanding conditions, simply because most reasonable owners don’t want to risk damaging their expensive timepieces. With that in mind, Unimatic categorically operates within the attainable segment of the market, and prices for the brand’s Toolwatch models range from €350 EUR to €525 EUR, with the Unimatic Modello Quattro Toolwatch UT4-GMT featured here coming in at €450 EUR (or approximately $490 USD, at the time of writing). While the Unimatic Toolwatch series feels like an incredibly rugged and well-constructed timepiece, there is nothing even remotely precious about it that will prevent owners from taking advantage of its durability and putting a few scratches on its case. For more information on the Unimatic Modello Quattro Toolwatch UT4-GMT, please visit the brand’s website.