Why Does Unimatic Have A Cult Following?

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Thanks Max! I hope you enjoy this good looking piece. They have gone all in on the brutalist chic eh? I love the colours, but would have loved it more if it had been slimmer. Maybe they will produce a super special limited edition at 12mm thick at some point? Cheers, Jody

[@bobyoutube4037]

Nope! Too expensive for an NH35 with no bracelet, and the lume? I get the whole minimalist stick but there just isn't enough going on. Not enough bang for the buck IMO.

[@ramr7051]

Are you seriously me telling me that the SpongeBob SquarePants edition isn't worth the price tag? :0

[@pcoussa]

Completely agree! Too much money.

[@lukemcevoy2385]

Shtick

[@bobyoutube4037]

@@ramr7051 no, clearly the sponge bob is an exception 😉!🤣

[@GM-ii8gs]

Agreed, go Helm

[@waffle911]

The single marker bezel is used by the Squale Master Marina Militare made for the Italian military; their dive operations use the marker to track hours rather than minutes.

[@trongnghiachu1977]

Which is inspired by the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms “3H Bund” for the Kampfschwimmer of the Bundeswehr (aka the frogman of the West German navy).

[@jamesblonde2271]

Perifectly good for minuites too, gonna order one.

[@watchesandcaps2566]

They do make a fantastic bracelet that fits this and the U2 model, although they're sold out. If these were around $300 I would already own one.

[@jim_bocho]

I really like the Unimatic designs as well. My favourites so far have been the Hodinkee limited editions. The use of grey made the contrasts a little less harsh and the Sellita movements allowed to slap some height off the case.

[@brianmsahin]

Why does Unimatic have a cult following? Looking at this particular one......that's a very good question. NH35 movement, didn't even bother with an NH38 to get rid of the ghost date, lume like a Pagani Design, and a totally useless bezel for that price? Not really different enough to warrant the price. You could get as good from Ali Express and go for a sterile dial if you want a clean look. As a desk diver with an NH35, bad lume and a ghost date? USD$250 and you'd probably want a big discount on that. You'll probably have a better watch with a hundred dollar Pagani.

[@S-Ltd1000]

I just bought one of the new Pagani Design Doxa homages which uses an NH38 to suit the dial. If Pagani can do it in a £110 watch why can't unimatic?

[@brianmsahin]

@@S-Ltd1000 Excellent point. Thinking about my comment later I think I was too generous saying $250. I do truly believe that the PD is a better watch and the fact that yours has an NH38 is the icing on the cake. I wish Pagani would improve the lume a bit, but I have heard some reviewers saying that the lume is getting better. Enjoy your watch, imagine you could get 4 or 5 Paganis for the price of one of these!

[@jamesblonde2271]

Thing is they look cooler than a equimos cocktail, got two now, both V reaonable on the grey market. Even the Sellita one has a ghost date, also Im a diver and looking forward to taking it down.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

The Squale Master Marina Militare, made for the Italian Navy, and the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms “3H Bund”, made for the frogmen of the West German navy, had the single marker bezel. You know, you count the minutes on the dial. The bezel only serves to mark the starting point.

[@jamesblonde2271]

@@neutronalchemist3241 zackerly, nice history too, cool comment

[@InGratitudeIam]

Had they used a Miyota 9000 series, maybe. If they're going to sell a great design, they need to use a better movement. Maybe they could charge the same with a Miyota if they used less expensive packaging? Great design, cheap movement and expensive packaging. Makes total sense. Perhaps they should cut back on their Chianti consumption.

[@Strideo1]

Miyota 9000 series are thinner than NH movements too so they could've made the watch less chunky.

[@whereisvanuatu]

This was my first “proper” piece. While I liked the idea of a stripped-down-to-essence watch, I would’ve never paid full retail for it, but I was lucky enough to get one 30% off from Uncrate. The supplied strap is good quality, but, with its thickness and relatively straight lugs, wearing this one on a NATO makes it look somewhat cumbersome, so I wear mine on a two-piece or a Zulu at most. Another mild annoyance is not being sure the pip is aligned, as you have almost no “landmarks” for guidance. All in all a decent piece if you manage to get one with a proper discount.

[@glennpettersson9002]

I have a San Martin field watch with the same straight lug issue and I found a 5mm thick Buffalo hide strap that fills the void. Tiny watch / massive strap though.

[@whereisvanuatu]

That sounds great! My problem is I live in a country where the watch market is slim to non-existent, so getting accessories is quite difficult.

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

Minimal watches should have minimal price.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Movado I’m looking at you!

[@thomasgregory1918]

I got my new U1S-MP (my first Unimatic) three days ago (SW200 movement w/ date at 6pm, same width but a mm slimmer, $950), and the lume is much, much better than model reviewed here. There are also indices all around the bezel, though they're so subtle that you could miss them if you aren't looking for them. Overpriced if you don't consider the coolness...a bargain if you do.

[@williamwallace9427]

Very cool. I have infinitely more respect for someone wearing very this than a “homage” watch

[@rayharrison6400]

Every now and then you get a cracking design on and this is superb. I love the look and industrial tool look to the case. You're definitely paying for the design, which is worth it when they look as good as this classic. I see myself buying one of these for sure.

[@mazzochi2028]

Really like the style, I've modded some vostoks to look similarly minimalist in the past. 49mm lug to lug would be pushing it on my 15cm wrist with this one though.

[@oliverwiantrmerholme112]

Love the brand and the design, but their prices are a bit high if I’m being honest.

[@JamesG89]

Way to high, considering how little features it has and the blank design

[@williamwallace9427]

Thanks for being honest

[@e28forever30]

@@williamwallace9427 Thanks for being thankful.

[@ajcallaway123]

I really like the minimal dive style, it's like it's trying to be a Nomos diver (couldn't think of another example) and I dig it. It does look like a Chinese special sterile dial when the hands are all on the lower half of the dial though. The cost is high and would like more down turn lugs. Great review as well

[@darrenfry4695]

You made me smile saying you dig it ,,so kudos to you, LoL.

[@67NewEngland]

Nice review. 10:21 -I like how the indices reflect off what seems to be a polished ring around the perimeter of the dial (or maybe the crystal beveled edge). Cool little design trick.

[@keithsanderson1213]

Love your work Jody! Just a thought, but it must be time for you to chuck your logo on some T-shirts and starting flogging them?

[@blacktoothstavros2606]

Some merch would definitely be appreciated, but there was even a JOMW watch design mooted back in the olden days, and the start of the website.

[@keithsanderson1213]

@@blacktoothstavros2606 Jody loves his T-shirts. He just needs to create his own. Come on Jody, crack on. You'll be able to buy a few more watches with the profits! They are also useful as giveaways of course!

[@luykenstouten1145]

Yep! Fan of this less-is-more look. ✨But for now, I’ll be sticking to my Vanuatu. 🤟🏻 Thanks for the review Jody!

[@aumkar2]

Owned 2 Unimatic a few years ago - The U1-EM and the U2. Loved both, took the U1-EM on my trip to Iceland as well. In the end, too big and strap choices were a deal breaker as well as the poor lume.

[@abrelectric]

I've owned the U4 for about 5 months. I love the clean look, and the military background reference

[@jeanlefranc3817]

Brilliant. Great design : with minimalist features, Unimatic have created a very recognizable look. Forza Italia !

[@johnbonanni1731]

I think for the price point though the watch is of good quality, as a dive watch with no numbers on the bezel I would prefer a Seiko prospex, CWC, Hamilton, or Oris . Cheers from Charleston,South Carolina.

[@MarkFenimore]

I love my U1-EM because of the unique design (so much that Ive bought it twice!) Movement may be humble but I won't get nervous when it's time for a service (or mvmt replacement). I should also say I inquired with their CS to check costs on parts and service and they were very very reasonable and super quick to respond. I think they're cool but not a "value play" that most of your audience is looking for.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

That's a hell of a lot of money for a Seiko NH35 !!😲

[@Visitor555]

They didnt even make effort to put no date nh38 for that amount of money that with other brands we get Sellita sw200-2.. also hate the brand name above 6. If it was under 12 and if it came with good bracelet it will be good. For now is bad value for money.

[@tonysolino3131]

Thank you very much. Wonderful video. I've always been curious about this brand the sprang but never dove too deep into it. I've always been curious about this brand but never dove too deep into it. After this video I feel like I spent the day with it thank you

[@bogrot69]

Good ol' Max from Brisbane! I've heard nothing but good things! 😁❤ I've always liked the look of the Unimatics. Nice to finally get a closer look! Cheers Jody! 🙏

[@SingleTrackMined]

I love the Unimatic aesthetic. The movement could be better for the price but that design -- ooh la la.

[@HonestWatchReviewsHWR]

Nice review mate. I've not reviewed a Unimatic, but I have reviewed a couple of homages from both San Martin and Tandorio. They are definitely interesting and unique designs that won't appeal to everyone though.

[@williamwallace9427]

Homages....you mean rip offs

[@eggsII]

Bought the SW200 version. Really love the design. A little slimmer. Had to pay import fees. Mine came with rubber and nato straps Swapped them out for a sailcloth. Also just picked up a shark mesh bracelet. Might see what that looks like…

[@redcard1990]

Price is too much to justify the “design” .

[@stevefox8605]

Had one, weird case shape that didn't sit well on my wrist. Well made, liked the look but just very odd to wear. Didn't keep it long. Best bit about it was no date!! Good video, thank you 👍🏻👍🏻

[@tee_m]

I like it but reckon I could make something similar out of spare parts I've got lying around and some matte black paint. I got a few sterile nh35&sapphire sub homages for parts that were too cheap to miss. Not sure how to do the inner bezel ring but I'll figure it out!

[@hugohugo37]

I get a Squale vibe from it. Speaking of which, I don't recall you ever reviewing a Squale. You should. It's an interesting brand with some history.

[@vc.moser.ferrier]

I like the design, great to see that this price range brings diversity to the market and not solely knock-offs. Its case and crone seam quite unique. I also like the design details that are not to be found on a seamaster or submariner, i.e. the bezel asthetics, tone in tone hands with only the lume bringing the contrast and balance on the second hand.

[@davemerchant8788]

Just bought the L'eroica. Came across this video yesterday and fell for the L'eroica immediately. Happen to be a cyclist, so appropriate. Love the idea of friends who know nothing about watches or cycling possibly misreading it as L'erotica ( just one 't' short 😂 ) and this WILL definitely be my last ever watch purchase or I fear divorce courts will definitely beckon. Love the design - what a number to go out on 😁👍

[@tiffer67]

I love their simple design & colours. Yes they are a bit over priced for what you get but at this price range I'm incredibly superficial. It's all about the look.

[@davemerchant8788]

Love it 😁👍

[@jonathanlavery7279]

Like the styling of this one. I'm going to add it to the ever growing list. No elevator music 👏

[@gamesetmatt23]

Shave off 1mm, improve the lume, replace the aluminium bezel insert with ceramic with etched markings (so that it maintains the all-black aesthetic), and make this $350-400USD and I would be complaining about not being able to buy one because of the waitlist! 😅 That's where I see the value and market for this piece.

[@mbseigel]

i love this watch and brand. of note, there are some interesting homage watches of some versions from Unimatic, from Tandorio & San Martin. not sure worth focus on, as the Unimatic is already such an excellent price

[@TheMainCore]

Ooh, I have been waiting for you to take a look at this brand! Very cool, but a bit pricey for what it is. I will hunt one down second hand.

[@frankbcn2223]

For me this is one of the most interesting pieces I have seen this year, thanks for sharing! I will be putting some money aside to get me one soon! Off course that Nato strap will be replaced for a nice silicone or two piece Nato. Fantastic design, different

[@williamwallace9427]

Thank you for saving for a real one and not buying a “homage” rip off

[@frankdulonbarre7032]

@@williamwallace9427 Hi William, I am not "innocent" here, I purchased one time a Submariner San Martin, I think it is qualitative fine, but for some reason I do not really enjoy these "I want, but I can´t" watches. So no more homages for me sir 😅

[@danieltaylor4475]

Unimatic’s rubber strap is excellent. Totally changes the look and feel of the watch. I feel it’s the best suited to the Modelo Uno vs the nato and steel bracelet

[@GinkgoJoe]

Super cool is right! Thanks Max and Jody!

[@markbyrum4743]

I purchased the Modelo Duo a couple years ago and it's great. Looks like a Rolex with the bezel removed. The lug-to-lug is just a little long for my wrist, though. Good watches. Good vid. Keep at it!

[@AudioFlat]

For that money there really isn’t an excuse for not having an NH38 in it - my pet hate is ghost crown positions!

[@chrisr8112]

Love it, bold design aesthetic, I bought a watch that homages it and it’s fantastic

[@williamwallace9427]

“Homages it”... that’s funny ... you mean “rips it off” .

[@TheRatchet35]

"homage" mf this thing costs less than 500 bucks

[@hmr171]

If you like this watch at this price, then you probably thought Daniel Wellingtons were a bargain.

[@ramr7051]

Had been waiting for this one to come here

[@jaconstable8983]

Nautage - similar simple dial styling from Denmark, great strap options, Miyoto 9039 movement and great service from owner Christian - cost for watch with four high quality rubber straps in a wide range of colours - $445. Very much worth a review in my view. And a better option than this one (although I do like it also)

[@whereisvanuatu]

Looks just as nice, but with a better movement, great find!

[@MrKinghuman]

I love this watch. People hate minimalist or love it, same with monochrome, I'm in the love side.

[@RedwoodAggie]

Thanks to you (and your fans that send in watches) for reviewing this. Although I had not explicitly searched for any, I also had not encountered a review of one of these before in 4 years of KZbin watch gorging. I took multiple looks at one of their models recently, a limited edition. It's still available, but the price for the movement is a little hard to swallow. I realize you're paying for the design, and the specs aren't everything that makes a watch great (great example is my Autodromo Group B Night Stage II), but it's a little tough to swallow. They are really cool looking. I do kind of wish they used a Miyota 9000 series, so it could be slimmer and we'd get a 4Hz sweep as a bonus. The lume is quite disappointing considering that's really one of the key parts of the design. I don't necessarily expected SWC or lume battle winner levels, but it certainly should be better than that for the price. Maybe a few more layers would do the trick.

[@kyles7394]

It looks like a Benrus 1 which I think is the point. That's awesome, but the lume and price point makes it less desirable.

[@damienbridges8358]

Thanks for the great watch content Jody

[@turradi1126]

Nice review. Thank you.

[@69Muscle]

I just bought the U4 Classic. Love the clean minimalistic design. Italian Bauhaus! 😎✌️

[@VersedNJ]

Might consider it at this price at least use a Myota 9000 series caliber with the proper no date function.

[@bagpiper]

I like the clean presentation - to a point. The bezel is useless. For the price they are after there should be applied indices. Speaking of which I'm not a fan of the 'sleepy baton' at 6 o'clock. I'm a value-oriented kind of person. While this has some interesting design elements I'm not persuaded. To each their own. Mine will be elsewhere for now.

[@liberatedfromsin]

Bought the Chinese version with a PT5000 for $95

[@williamwallace9427]

Awesome. Hold your head high with that sweatshop rip off on your wrist

[@richardshaw1968]

If you’re paying that kind of money it should have the right movement in it.

[@richardbently7236]

Thanks Max!

[@davepoole5582]

Ace show Jody. 👌 An expencive Nn35, but very nice looking. It looks similar to my old Sicura from the 70's.

[@jeffdaniels1257]

Wow!! $525 with a ghost date NH35. Better off with a a sterile dial Steel Dive. Great review, but not a watch for me. Keep them coming!!!

[@robwulz3493]

I just got the fauxmatic U2 with a cali dial for less than £40 from AliX . NH35 , sapphire, screw down crown. Happy days .

[@bobyoutube4037]

Morning jody, new dive watch? Yes please!

[@tobytayles1]

Mega looking watch

[@Gary-li7ib]

Quite a cool design but expensive for what's on offer, just not seeing the value proposition here. Lots of other options out there with better movements, better lume, dimensions etc at a similar price point

[@glennpowell3444]

I have still got this image in my head of a warehouse somewhere full of pallets stacked up with nh35 movements on them.A bit like the last shot in "Raiders of The Lost Arc".? Historical artifacts in this instance most revelant.

[@alanmckinnon6791]

I don't "get" it, it's circles and angles almost like an AI designed it to be easy to machine. What's up with that daft bezel? With no numbers, you can't time anything. But you could set the pip 6 minutes ahead and countdown time your boiled eggs I suppose. I can see this was put together by design students, it's all about the form but I am a function guy so I'll pass

[@jonbravo6262]

Great review, Watch has good graphic design appeal, but experimental hodgepodge of dimesions and movement. It’s like they haven’t designed this watch in a functional sense for Watch users, only designed this in a graphic form from plan view. A lot of money for a fashion watch…

[@eurabio]

What a nice design!

[@BrianHartman]

I like how clean the dial is. That's the best feature, IMO. I feel like there are several red flags, though. Especially for the money they're charging. First of all, as others have said, that bezel is ridiculous for a diver. I realize that it might be considered a desk diver, but still, even with a desk diver, you can still time things. I would prefer that kind of clean aesthetic be on a dress watch, if they weren't going to put indices on the bezel. You don't need the bezel to rotate if there aren't any indices anyway. And because there aren't any indices, it doesn't need to be that thick. It would at least be a better desk diver if they slimmed it down. You don't need 300m water resistance for a desk diver. The last thing is the ghost date. For the money they're charging for it, they could've used a movement that matched the watch. It's like designing a 3 story building where you only use the 1st and 3rd floors, but the elevator still goes to the second floor.

[@gamesetmatt23]

That elevator analogy is pretty accurate 💁🏻‍♂😂

[@waffle911]

There is one use case for the mono-pip bezel: the Squale Master Marina Militare was built for the Italian military, where tracking movement of the hour hand was more important to their dive operations than the minute hand.

[@ConvoyGTR]

Dial has a sterile submariner kinda layout. Feels kinda familiar to me. The blank bezel insert is what gives it a interesting look, but not something I've haven't seen before.

[@ciresolstice]

I really like the design aesthetic quite a bit. The downfall is the movement vs the pricepoint. Have purchased watches in the same range with higher-end movements and just as much, if not better design.

[@Jorgie000]

I love what this brand is doing, even though it's not quite for me.

[@ikirikchi]

Hello Jody. Have you checked it on a timegrapher? Is this NH35 at least regulated for this price?

[@williamwallace9427]

Wow that bezel has a fantastic clicks to it !

[@HAL-xy3om]

Very nice watch!

[@KTList]

This has a CWC vibe to it. Very cool 😎

[@danielleclare2938]

Clean Quality always looks good even if your not sold on the style. I like it except for the strap. Silicone would be my preference.

[@KMV007]

Made in Italy: - cars 👍 - food 👍 - clothes 👍 - leather goods 👍 - jewellery 👍 - mopeds 👍 - ice cream 👍 - coffee 👍 - watches 🤔

[@tiderider]

I love my blue Unimatic Quattro. Clean and simple.

[@roarksjuror4752]

Too minimalist for me. I prefer the Nautage which has similar design cues but just as a bit more going on.

[@_Peter_.]

Italian Unimatic and Spanish Crepas are two of my favorite microbrands!

[@Watch-Crazy]

You're also paying for a Japanese made NH35 as opposed to the majority in watches including many Seiko's that are made in China. Cool 😎 watches 👍

[@cdb7876]

It's a good looker!! Price about 25% high.

[@gasparolea356]

Wow, looks like Unimatic uses the exact same rugged box and packaging as the microbrand Boldr Supply Co.

[@duckrutt]

A case back that teaches you the history of Maserati? Interesting choice.

[@bjorremeijer2072]

Design is cool, like the black and white contrast but it is heavily overpriced. Would they do a similar design on a somewhat decent bracelet and a “venta black” dial, then I would me very interested. A affordable venta black dial in general would be awesome, and it surely fits their design language.

[@colinlumsden9784]

Looks lovely and fresh. Needs a sellita movement at that price but even more impressive is the elevator music has gone and we get to listen to you only Jody.

[@CraigSheppard]

The case is the star IMHO. Love the angles and how the crown guards match the ends.

[@gekkehenkie0001]

That particular design having the "normal" black replaced by vanta black would have been awesom IMHO

[@EpicMovieMoments]

The first thing I did then I got this watch I swapped the strap to their Cordura strap. Much more comfortable and better looking without the bulky nato strap look. I got a close up of it on my channel!

[@andrewd7586]

I think for the so called industrial look, drilled lugs should be a must. Maybe on the bezel markers to 3 O’clock if anything, as that pip,looks lonely!😞🤣

[@russelldow1131]

It's a clean looking watch.

[@bigboiganiga8356]

The trend is, the lacker the design, the more pay.

[@edwingatongomez7242]

Fantastic watches. I bought the first one in 2017. yes I did say the first one 😆. They are unique and a good deal for the money

[@markloubser2433]

These and the Peren are at the top of my list.......

[@grogthegrolie]

Go with the Peren

[@whereisvanuatu]

Haha, I had the exactly same dilemma myself! At the same price, I would’ve gone for the Peren (better movement and my Romanian nationality), but I was lucky enough to get the Unimatic at a 30% discount, so I pulled the trigger on it. Will get the Rogue too eventually.

[@dopagony9946]

but the seiko movement though...if they did a SW200 id order one

[@jcs5436]

Nice but definitely needs a ceramic bezel insert with graduations.

[@williamsmith3169]

Nice looking watch but the 525 Euro price point, I'd personally expect more than an NH35A movement. Maybe something by ETA?

[@js887744]

I’m a fan. All divers seem so be slight mutations of one another. Nice to see something that distilled the essence into something artistic. Could care less about the movement.