Announcing what is perhaps their most limited-run release yet, Unimatic has just launched their latest minimalist diver, the Unimatic X Goods Modello Uno. Following the young Italian brand’s established design code, the Unimatic X Goods Modello Uno brings us another high-contrast, stylish, and affordable experience that honestly stands on its own in today’s shamelessly abused micro-brand dive watch scene. Specifically, this iteration of the Modello Uno (the specific reference is U1-EG) has been announced in partnership with Goods CPH, a Copenhagen-based menswear retailer that served as one of the first five retailers that carried Unimatic Watches. Now, in the hopes of celebrating the 10th anniversary of Goods CPH, the two brands are offering this limited run of 30 pieces available exclusively in-store and online at the Goods official site.
Perhaps the most immediate feature Unimatic fans will recognize is the U1-EG’s fully brushed 316L stainless steel bezel with a single white Super-LumiNova pip at the 12 o’clock position. Unlike the fully graduated bezels available in their last release, this version of the Modello Uno brings the design back to basics and reminds me of the very first Modello Uno released back in 2016. Paired with an earthy, matte grey dial, this feature almost leaves us with more of a fashion-forward release, which is fitting for a collaboration with a menswear retailer. Still, we have to remember that the watch is more than likely very capable of handling various scenarios, from sporty to smart-casual, I suppose.
With a familiar 40mm case, Unimatic is sticking to their guns and once again delivering what has worked so well for them in the past. Personally, I’m not complaining and even if 40mm seems a bit too small for you, I think the smart lug design together with the crown guard feature will lead this watch to wear larger than the specs would suggest. Speaking of which, this watch comes with two different “heavy-duty” nylon NATO straps in black and navy blue. Wish I could have seen some shots with the black NATO option, as I feel that combination would probably result in an even cooler high-contrast look driven by the silvery case.
Other than ’10 yrs Goods’ engraved on the caseback, there really isn’t anything else on this watch that would suggest that it’s some kind of limited collaboration. We also get some added spec information on the caseback as well, which specifies that the watch is fitted with an AR-coated sapphire crystal and provides the wearer with 300m of water resistance. Although this hasn’t been specified in the press materials, I think it’s safe to assume that the watch is powered by the same Seiko-derived NH35A automatic movement used throughout the rest of Unimatic’s dive watch collection. Reliable and accessible, I think it’s a fitting choice in this next installment of the Modello Uno’s story.
Besides the straightforward specs and dive watch aesthetic my favorite feature is by far, the maxi-style dial. The segmented hour and minute hands could be a bit longer but I doubt anyone would have difficulty quickly referencing the time on this watch. Plus, with the way Unimatic applies lume on their watches, I’m sure the wearer is in for a pretty cool light show. So regardless of whether you’re into the fashion-forward update to the Modello Uno or not, I think it’s safe to say that like the previous iterations, this U1-EG will probably fly off the shelves quickly. I’d personally wait for them to restock the U1-EM from their last run (out of stock until December 2018), but I can see the appeal behind this latest edition and the brand won’t have trouble selling them. A limited run of 30 pieces, the Unimatic X Good Modello Uno U1-EG is priced at €670 and available exclusively at Goods Copenhagen.
