Historically Venice was one of the major gateways between Europe and the Far East – many Venetian merchants travelled the silk road, trading spices, stories and culture. Up and coming Venetian watch brand Venezianico are paying tribute to that history with the launch of the Arsenale Sumi-e. A limited edition watch that places traditional Japanese techniques front and centre.
The Arsenale case is Venezianico’s answer to the sports chic designs of the 1980s, channelling the quasi-industrial influences of the period through the lens of Venice’s most famous shipyard, the Arsenale. It measures 40mm in diameter, in steel, with an integrated strap. Rather than the normal steel bracelet, a red rubber strap has been used to accent the points of red on the dial as well as reference the Japanese flag. While the case is very nice with its alternating brushed and polished surfaces, and coin edge bezel, the dial is the main focus of this piece.
Speaking of, the dial is made from Washi paper, which is a delicate material with a distinctive texture that’s made using traditional Japanese techniques. It’s so delicate that brands like Citizen reserve it exclusively for their high-end watches, such as the recent anniversary series. On top of the Washi paper dial, Venezianico have created a pad printed image inspired by the Sumi-e painting style.
The fact that it is printed maybe takes a little of the Romance out of it but at the same time it’s a logical decision. Commissioning a professional Sumi-e artist to create 500 dials that are identical is bordering on a logistical impossibility and would send the price of the watches shooting higher than the Tokyo skyline. Instead, the focus of the dial is the accurate reproduction of the artistic style in tribute to those artisans and painters.
The image itself is an idyllic scene of a Japanese waterway dotted with islands, featuring a blooming tree in the foreground and a Torii gate leading up to a Shinto shrine in the distance. On the reverse side of the watch is a closed caseback that depicts the Japanese characters describing the artistic technique, presented against a wavy backdrop that depicts ink running into water.
Inside the case is the Miyota 9039 automatic, a calibre of Japanese origin, further emphasising the connection between West and East. It’s a respected third-party movement with a 42-hour power reserve. It’s a favourite of brands looking to make slim watches thanks to its thin proportions with a 3.9mm thickness.
The Venezianico Arsenale Sumi-e is a limited edition of 500 pieces at a price of €900 (approx. £780). There aren’t many western brands that come to mind who have dipped into Japanese design to this extent, so that makes the Arsenale Sumi-e something of an outlier. I think that’s largely because Japan has such a strong cultural identity that it risks feeling inauthentic if brands try to replicate it. However, while Venezianico are toeing that line I think they’re ultimately successful because they have framed it through the lens of the historic relationship between Venice and Japan. It’s about celebrating the fusion of cultures – the Arsenale and the Sumi-e – rather than exclusively copying and taking from the other.
Price and Specs:
More details at Venezianico.
