Italian watch brand Unimatic tend to lean in one of two directions when it comes to their designs. On one hand you have fun collaborations with other designers or organisations and on the other hand you have serious tool watches. Today we’re focussing on the latter with the release of the new Unimatic Prodiver collection, consisting of three models. At their core they’re an aesthetic overhaul of the Modello Uno.
Unimatic Prodiver Modello Uno U1-PD3-B / U1-PD3-OR
Two of the models, the Unimatic Prodiver Modello Uno U1-PD3-B and Prodiver Modello Uno U1-PD3-OR are essentially reinterpretations of the existing Heritage Diver collection that have had the ‘heritage’ aspects removed. What that means is the numerals on the immersion timer bezel have been swapped from a faux-vintage beige colour to bright and legible white. At the same time a graduated scale has been added between the bezel numerals to add more precision to its timing capabilities.
Similarly the two dial colour options are traditional professional diver colours instead of the aquatic blue and faux-tropic brown of the Heritage version. The U1-PD3-B is pristine black, a classic professional dive watch colour that provides the highest contrast to the lumed hour markers and hands for boosted underwater legibility. The U1-PD3-OR is then orange, another classic dive watch colour that contrasts not to the hour markers but to the water around it, making the watch more striking and easier to see underwater in general. It would be a fine addition to our orange dial watches guide.
Both of these Unimatic Prodiver models feature 40mm diameter steel cases with a 41.5mm diameter bezel (featuring a ceramic insert), sporting a brushed case finish and 300m water resistance rating. They’re also both powered by the Seiko NH35A automatic movement with 41-hour power reserve. To cap it off, they’re nice and accessible at €750 + VAT (approx. £650).
Price and Specs:
Unimatic Prodiver Modello Uno U1S-T-PD6
Third in the Unimatic Prodiver collection is the Modello Uno U1S-T-PD6, which is the new flagship edition. It swaps from the traditional steel construction of the Modello Uno to introduce a Grade 2 titanium case, increasing the watch’s strength to density ratio, improving its ergonomics and making it more lightweight. At the same time, the water resistance rating has been boosted from 300m to 600m, jumping from professional dive watch classification to being a saturation diver. Meaning it can withstand extended periods of pressurisation.
It’s the most serious dive watch Unimatic have produced and so it features the same professional diving details as seen on its steel counterparts. Such as the redesigned scale on the immersion timer bezel, which is made from scratch resistant ceramic. The dial is also black for that high contrast to the lumed hour markers, which are oversized for easy reading.
The one small criticism I have would be the addition of a date window at 6 o’clock, replacing one of the lumed hour markers. Without a full set of lumed markers it technically doesn’t live up to the stringent ISO classification for dive watches, which for a Prodiver range feels like an oversight. However, I’m at least glad that it’s at 6 o’clock so the watch retains a balanced layout and it does add a nice bit of extra daily utility. Considering that saturation divers can be in pressurised environments for days (if not weeks) at a time, it will help them keep track. Or for us landlubbers you’ll know what day it is after waking up bewildered from that ill-advised late-afternoon nap.
In addition to the improved specs of the case, Unimatic Prodiver Modello Uno U1S-T-PD6 features an upgraded movements as well, which is also why it can now support that date function. It’s the Sellita SW200-1 a, moving from a Japanese movement to Swiss with greater daily accuracy of +/-12 seconds and the same 41-hour power reserve.
Between all the case and movement upgrades this titanium edition is exactly double the price of the steel editions at €1,500 + VAT (approx. £1,300). So, I suppose you could logically conclude that Unimatic’s Prodiver collection costs €750 per 300m of water resistance. After so many accessible divers riffing on similar ideas from Unimatic, it’s cool to see a new flagship model that’s designed to challenge some of the larger luxury watch brands.
Price and Specs:
More details at Unimatic.
You didn’t indicate in your description the glass details