Unimatic Diving Heritage

In the landscape of modern horology, few brands have carved out a niche as distinct and uncompromising as Unimatic. The Italian watchmaker has built a formidable reputation on a foundation of minimalist aesthetics, robust functionality, and a clear "Made in Italy" design ethos. Now, the brand is expanding its offerings with the introduction of the Diving Heritage Collection, a new series that thoughtfully merges the soul of vintage dive watches with the stark, contemporary forms for which Unimatic is known. This collection is not merely a single watch but a comprehensive family of nine distinct models, each limited to just 300 individually numbered pieces, representing a significant and collectible new chapter for the brand.



The core philosophy of the Diving Heritage Collection is rooted in a concept described as capturing the unique patina created by time and exposure. It is a direct nod to the well-loved tool watches of the past, instruments that bore the marks of adventures on the Italian Riviera and beyond. Unimatic has channeled this spirit into a collection that balances archival aesthetics with modern manufacturing and performance. The result is a series built for genuine adventure yet crafted with the discerning collector in mind. Each watch is individually tested for both accuracy and water resistance, underscoring a commitment to purposeful design and uncompromising functionality that has long been a hallmark of the Unimatic name.



The collection is meticulously structured into three distinct colorways, each offering a unique character and mood. These are the Navy, Tropical Brown, and Black series. Within each of these color families, Unimatic presents three different functional models: a classic time-only automatic for purists, a versatile GMT automatic for travelers, and a precision-focused meca-quartz chrono-diver for those driven by speed and timing. This nine-watch matrix ensures that enthusiasts can select a timepiece that aligns perfectly with both their aesthetic preference and their practical needs, all while sharing a common design language and constructional integrity.



At the heart of the Diving Heritage Collection's visual identity is the iconic Modello Uno case. Machined from solid 316L stainless steel with a fine brushed finish, the case itself measures 40mm in diameter. However, the inclusion of the prominent unidirectional bezel brings the total diameter to a more substantial 41.5mm, giving the watch a confident and capable presence on the wrist without being oversized. The case architecture is pure Unimatic: thick, geometric lugs; a solid, screwed-in caseback; and a substantial, well-protected crown that speaks to its tool-watch intentions. The overall form is a study in functional sculpture, devoid of superfluous lines or decorative flourishes.



A critical interactive element of any dive watch is its bezel, and the Diving Heritage models feature a precisely engineered 120-click unidirectional security bezel. This mechanism provides satisfying tactile feedback and ensures that once set, it will not be accidentally knocked out of position in a way that would shorten a dive time. The bezel features a matte black heritage diver aluminum insert across the board, providing a high-contrast backdrop for the markings. A key vintage-inspired detail is the raised lume dot at the 12 o’clock position, a functional and aesthetically pleasing touch that ties the bezel's design directly to the dial.



The dials themselves are the primary canvas for the collection's three distinct personalities. The Navy series, encompassing models U1-DHN, U1-GMT-DHN, and U3-DHN, features a deep, vintage navy dial. This is not a bright, contemporary blue but a more muted, sophisticated shade that evokes the quiet strength of the sea. It pairs beautifully with the creamy, off-white luminescent markers, creating a look reminiscent of classic maritime instruments that have served for decades. This colorway feels classic and considered, a tribute to the long history of naval exploration and diving.



For those who appreciate the unique character of watches aged by the sun, the Tropical Brown collection offers a compelling alternative. Comprising models U1-DHBR, U1-GMT-DHBR, and U3-DHBR, this series boasts rich tropic brown dials. This specific hue is designed to replicate the desirable patina that develops on vintage black dials after years of exposure to sunlight, transforming them into a warm, chocolatey brown. Paired with matte black detailing, this colorway exudes a sense of history and adventure, making it an ideal choice for the modern explorer with a reverence for the past.



The third and final colorway is the Black series, which includes models U1-DHB, U1-GMT-DHB, and U3-DHB. Described as being mission-ready and cloaked in stealth black, this is the most utilitarian and direct interpretation of the tool watch. The matte black dial provides the ultimate in legibility and purpose-driven design. It is a no-compromise, no-excess approach that will appeal to those who favor function above all else. This version is the quintessential Unimatic, stripping the dive watch down to its essential form and presenting it with stark confidence.



Across all nine models, the handset and indices share a unified design language that is quintessentially Unimatic. The time is indicated by a set of matte black "ladder phantom" hands, a signature design that is both modern and highly legible. These are complemented by a reverse lollipop seconds hand, which features a matte white tip for easy tracking. The hour markers are a combination of circles and batons, filled with Super-LumiNova GL Light Old Radium. This specific luminescent compound is chosen for its creamy, vintage-style daytime color, which perfectly mimics the look of aged radium or tritium lume from mid-century watches, while providing the powerful, long-lasting glow of a modern material in low-light conditions.



Protecting the dial is a formidable 2.5mm thick double-domed sapphire crystal. The domed shape helps to mitigate distortion at extreme viewing angles, a practical benefit for a dive watch, and adds a pleasing vintage character to the watch's profile. To ensure maximum legibility in all conditions, the inner surface of the crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating, cutting down on glare and reflections that could otherwise obscure the dial. This combination of a thick sapphire crystal and AR coating demonstrates a commitment to durability and real-world performance.



For the enthusiast who values the traditional mechanical experience, the time-only automatic models (U1-DHN, U1-DHBR, U1-DHB) are powered by the venerable Seiko Caliber NH35A. This Japanese automatic movement is widely respected throughout the industry as a true workhorse, known for its exceptional reliability and ease of service. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (bph), offers a solid power reserve of approximately 41 hours, and includes the practical features of a hacking seconds hand for precise time-setting and the ability to be wound both automatically by the rotor and manually via the crown.



Travelers and those who operate across multiple time zones will be drawn to the GMT models (U1-GMT-DHN, U1-GMT-DHBR, U1-GMT-DHB). These watches are equipped with the Seiko Caliber NH34A automatic movement. Built upon the same robust architecture as the NH35A, the NH34A adds a true GMT complication, allowing the wearer to track a second time zone via a fourth hand and the 24-hour bezel insert. It maintains the 41-hour power reserve and other key features of its three-hand sibling, making it a highly practical and reliable companion for any journey.



The Chrono-Diver models (U3-DHN, U3-DHBR, U3-DHB) cater to those with a need for speed and short-time measurement. These timepieces utilize the Seiko Caliber VK64A meca-quartz movement. This hybrid caliber offers the best of both worlds: the accuracy and reliability of a quartz movement, with a battery life of approximately three years, combined with a mechanically actuated chronograph module. This means the chronograph pushers provide the satisfying, solid click of a mechanical chronograph, and the central chronograph seconds hand sweeps smoothly at 1/5th of a second rather than ticking once per second, providing a more refined user experience.



The dial of the Modello Tre chronograph is distinctive, featuring a "mono-eyed" layout. This design incorporates a 60-minute counter subdial and a 24-hour indicator, maintaining a clean and legible aesthetic despite the added complexity. The functionality is controlled by two substantial, fat 5.5mm screw-in pushers that flank the crown. Like the crown, these pushers must be unscrewed before use, a critical design feature that ensures the watch's water resistance is not compromised. This robust implementation further cements the watch's status as a serious underwater instrument.



Unimatic's commitment to durability is evident in every aspect of the Diving Heritage Collection's construction. All nine models boast a substantial water resistance rating of 300 meters (equivalent to 1000 feet or 30 atmospheres). Crucially, this is not just a theoretical rating; each watch is individually tested to ensure it meets this stringent standard. This level of water resistance is achieved through the combination of a solid 316L stainless steel case, a thick 2mm screw-down caseback, a large 8mm diameter screw-down crown, and a system of high-quality gaskets.



The caseback itself is a solid piece of steel, eschewing a display window in favor of maximum durability and water tightness. It is engraved with the "Diving Heritage" collection name and, most importantly, the watch's unique individual progressive number out of 300. This individual numbering transforms each piece from a simple product into a unique, collectible artifact, a specific item within a very limited production run. This detail is highly valued by collectors and adds a personal connection to the timepiece.



Wearability and comfort have also been carefully considered. Each watch in the Diving Heritage collection comes fitted with a custom two-piece TPU strap that tapers from the 22mm lug width down to 20mm at the buckle. TPU, or Thermoplastic Polyurethane, is an ideal material for a dive watch strap as it is soft, flexible, completely waterproof, and highly resistant to abrasion and oils. The straps are color-matched to their respective collections—vintage navy, brown, or black—and feature a quick-release spring bar system, allowing for easy, tool-free strap changes. The strap is completed with brushed stainless steel hardware, including a custom buckle signed with the UNIMATIC logo.



The ownership experience extends beyond the watch itself. Each timepiece is delivered in a signature Unimatic tough case, a rugged, shock-resistant box that provides secure storage and transport. Inside the case, the owner will find the watch, a 24-month worldwide warranty card, and a unique ID seal. This comprehensive presentation reinforces the premium, collector-focused nature of the product and provides assurance of its authenticity and quality.



The pricing for the collection is set at €625 (plus VAT) for the time-only automatic U1 models and the meca-quartz U3 chronographs. The more complex automatic GMT U1-GMT models are priced at €750 (plus VAT). Given the custom Italian design, robust specifications, reliable Japanese movements, and the strict limitation of only 300 pieces per model, this pricing positions the collection as a strong value proposition in the microbrand and enthusiast space. With nine distinct yet related models to choose from, the Diving Heritage collection is a compelling new offering for anyone seeking a durable, distinctive, and highly collectible modern tool watch.



Unimatic Diving Heritage - Automatic



Case: 316 stainless steel, brushed finish. Diameter 40mm (41.5mm with bezel). 300m water resistance. 2.5mm thick double domed sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating. 120-click mono-directional bezel with matte black aluminum insert. Screw-down crown and caseback.

Movement: Automatic Seiko NH35A. 41-hour power reserve. 21,600 bph. Hacking seconds. Bi-directional and manual winding.

Dial: Available in Vintage Navy, Tropical Brown, or Black. Matte black ladder phantom hands and reverse lollipop seconds hand. Super-LumiNova® GL Light Old Radium lume.

Strap: Tapered quick-release two-piece TPU strap in matching color (Navy, Brown, or Black). Stainless steel brushed hardware signed UNIMATIC.

Price: €625,00

Reference Number: U1-DHN (Navy), U1-DHBR (Brown), U1-DHB (Black)

Notes: Limited edition of 300 pieces per color. Individually numbered and water resistance tested. Made in Italy.





Unimatic Diving Heritage - GMT



Case: 316 stainless steel, brushed finish. Diameter 40mm (41.5mm with bezel). 300m water resistance. 2.5mm thick double domed sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating. Matte black 24h bezel insert. Screw-down crown and caseback.

Movement: Automatic GMT Seiko NH34A. 41-hour power reserve. 21,600 bph. Hacking seconds.

Dial: Available in Vintage Navy, Tropical Brown, or Black. Matte black ladder phantom hands, reverse lollipop seconds hand, and GMT hand. Super-LumiNova® GL Light Old Radium lume.

Strap: Tapered quick-release two-piece TPU strap in matching color (Navy, Brown, or Black). Stainless steel brushed hardware signed UNIMATIC.

Price: €750,00

Reference Number: U1-GMT-DHN (Navy), U1-GMT-DHBR (Brown), U1-GMT-DHB (Black)

Notes: Limited edition of 300 pieces per color. Features a true GMT complication for tracking a second time zone. Individually numbered. Made in Italy.





Unimatic Diving Heritage - Chronograph



Case: 316 stainless steel, brushed finish. Diameter 40mm (41.5mm with bezel). 300m water resistance. 2.5mm thick double domed sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating. 120-click mono-directional bezel. Screw-down crown and fat 5.5mm screw-in pushers.

Movement: Meca-quartz Calibre Seiko VK64A. Approximately 3-year battery life. 1/5 of a second chronograph with a 60-minute counter.

Dial: Available in mono-eyed Vintage Navy, Tropical Brown, or Black. Matte black ladder phantom hands and reverse lollipop seconds hand. Super-LumiNova® GL Light Old Radium lume.

Strap: Tapered quick-release two-piece TPU strap in matching color (Navy, Brown, or Black). Stainless steel brushed hardware signed UNIMATIC.

Price: €625,00

Reference Number: U3-DHN (Navy), U3-DHBR (Brown), U3-DHB (Black)

Notes: Limited edition of 300 pieces per color. The meca-quartz movement combines quartz accuracy with the tactile feel and sweep of a mechanical chronograph. Made in Italy.