The Hourstriker Verdict
UNIMATIC paired up with Luca Nichetto to produce the super unique Modello Cinque U5S-NS. The watch featured a sand-blasted stainless steel case with a very compact 36 mm diameter. The thing that really caught my attention with the new model was the primary shaped cutouts in the dial at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock which change color when the multi-colored date window advances. It's just a departure from typical design and I'm really a bit fan… even though it's a bit small for my wrist.
— Peter, Editor-in-Chief
The UNIMATIC Modello Cinque U5S-NS represents a significant departure from the brand's established military and tool-watch vernacular, marking the inaugural release within the "Nichecraft" platform curated by Nichetto Studio. This collaboration facilitates a technical dialogue between industrial horology and multidisciplinary design, leveraging the modular capabilities of the Sellita SW200-1 architecture to implement a non-traditional temporal display. The project signifies the first horological endeavor for Luca Nichetto, whose practice is rooted in the Venetian glassmaking tradition and Scandinavian functionalism, resulting in a timepiece that prioritizes chromatic rhythm over conventional date indication.
By utilizing the Modello Cinque as a structural foundation, the U5S-NS benefits from a condensed 36mm form factor that addresses the contemporary shift toward moderate case diameters without sacrificing the brand’s requisite robustness. The limited edition of 30 pieces underscores the experimental nature of the Nichecraft Capsule Collection, which seeks to explore the intersection of numbered-series object design and traditional craftsmanship. This specific reference serves as a case study in how a standardized Swiss movement can be repurposed through dial-side modification to offer a distinct visual narrative while maintaining the operational reliability of a mass-produced caliber.
Courtesy of UNIMATIC
The Case and Dial
The 36mm case of the Modello Cinque U5S-NS is executed in 316L stainless steel, featuring a uniform sandblasted finish that mitigates specular reflections and emphasizes the architectural geometry of the lugs. The case profile measures 11.6mm in height, a dimension achieved through the integration of a 2.2mm double-domed sapphire crystal that provides a slight optical magnification of the dial periphery. The lugs are notably curved to facilitate a closer fit against the radial contour of the wrist, while the 8mm "Alchemical Sun" screw-down crown ensures a hermetic seal, contributing to an individually tested water resistance rating of 300 meters (30 ATM).
The dial is characterized by a "cool gray" grainé texture, providing a matte, particulate surface that diffuses light to enhance the legibility of the minimal phantom hands. These brushed stainless steel hands are devoid of luminescent material, reinforcing the design's focus on form and silhouette. The traditional date aperture at the six o’clock position has been replaced by four distinct geometric windows—a deconstructed interpretation of the Nichetto Studio "N" logo—which reveal a rotating multicolor day wheel. This wheel introduces primary color accents that shift every twenty-four hours, effectively transforming the dial into a dynamic chromatic composition that deviates from the static nature of typical field watch displays.
Courtesy of UNIMATIC
Mechanical Architecture
At the core of the U5S-NS is the Sellita SW200-1, a self-winding mechanical movement operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). This caliber is a proven Swiss workhorse, featuring 26 jewels and a hacking seconds function for precise synchronization. The movement utilizes a Novodiac shock protection system and a Glucydur balance wheel, ensuring stability against the physical rigors associated with daily wear. While the base caliber traditionally supports a numeric date disc, the Nichecraft collaboration utilizes this torque to drive the customized multicolor day disc, demonstrating the versatility of the SW200-1’s gear train.
The power reserve is rated at a typical 41 hours, sustained by a central oscillating weight that winds the mainspring through bidirectional rotation. The movement is protected by a solid, screwed-in caseback that features a specialized "Color Wheel" engraving, a motif shared between UNIMATIC and Nichetto Studio to signify their partnership. Each unit undergoes rigorous testing to verify the integrity of the gaskets and the accuracy of the escapement before being assigned its unique production number. The technical choice of a Sellita movement over an in-house alternative ensures that the timepiece remains serviceable by any qualified watchmaker, aligning with UNIMATIC’s philosophy of functional longevity.
Courtesy of UNIMATIC
Strap and Ergonomics
The U5S-NS is paired with a black padded deer leather strap, selected for its high tensile strength and supple tactile qualities. The strap features tonal top stitching and is equipped with quick-release spring bars, allowing for rapid interchangeability without the use of dedicated horological tools. The use of curved lug ends minimizes the gap between the leather and the sandblasted steel case, creating a more integrated aesthetic. The hardware consists of a signed UNIMATIC buckle, also finished in sandblasted 316L stainless steel to maintain consistency with the primary case material.
Ergonomically, the 22mm lug width provides a substantial footprint relative to the 36mm case diameter, imparting a grounded presence on the wrist. The combination of the lightweight deer leather and the slim 11.6mm profile results in a balanced distribution of mass, preventing the watch from becoming top-heavy during active use. The interior of the strap is lined with a hypoallergenic material to prevent moisture accumulation, ensuring long-term comfort. This execution reflects the industrial design background of both UNIMATIC’s founders and Luca Nichetto, where the interface between the object and the user is afforded as much technical consideration as the internal mechanics.
Courtesy of UNIMATIC
Pricing and Availability
The UNIMATIC x Nichetto Modello Cinque U5S-NS is produced in a strictly limited edition of 30 numbered units. This low production volume positions the reference as a niche offering within the broader UNIMATIC catalog, intended for a specific intersection of design enthusiasts and horological collectors. The watch is priced at $1,860.00 and is available exclusively through the official digital platforms of UNIMATIC and Nichetto Studio. The kit includes a branded "tough case" and a warranty card featuring a unique ID seal, providing a secure housing for the timepiece during transit and storage.
The scarcity of this release, combined with the unique modification of the day wheel complication, differentiates it from the brand’s standard production "Classic" editions. It serves as the lead product for the Nichecraft Capsule Collection, establishing a precedent for future collaborations that emphasize "uncompromised experimentation." As the inaugural watch design from Nichetto Studio, the U5S-NS represents a confluence of Italian industrial design and Swiss mechanical reliability, targeting a consumer base that prioritizes technical novelty and limited-series exclusivity within the independent watchmaking sector.
Courtesy of UNIMATIC
Technical Specifications
Case: 36mm diameter, 11.6mm thickness, 316L sandblasted stainless steel, 300m water resistance, 8mm screw-down crown
Movement: Sellita SW200-1, automatic, 28,800 bph (4Hz), 26 jewels, 41-hour power reserve, hacking seconds
Dial: Cool gray grainé, multicolor shifting day wheel, primary shape windows, engraved rehaut with 5-minute markers
Strap: Black padded deer leather, quick-release curved lugs, 22mm width, sandblasted hardware
Price: $1,860.00
Reference Number: UWK-U5S-NS
Notes: Limited edition of 30 pieces, inaugural Nichecraft Capsule Collection release, 2.2mm double-domed sapphire crystal