A Fan-Favorite Watch Brand Just Released Its Most Stunning Diver, Ever

This Italian boutique watchmaker punches well above its weight again with a limited edition all-black brushed DLC steel.

By Brad Lanphear

Published May 13, 2025

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Updated May 13, 2025

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Since its establishment in 2015, Unimatic has steadily released watches that feel too well developed for a small boutique operation.

The Milanese watchmaker is run by Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato, two friends who co-founded the brand after respectable careers in industrial design.

the dial and bracelet of a Unimatic dive watch — The U1S-MD case and bracelet are made from black PVD-coated steel with a brushed finish.

That background shows in how well Unimatic watches blend pragmatic simplicity with visually pleasing geometry. Like effective public signage, it is attractive to look at while serving a purpose.

Unimatic’s distinctive design language has achieved a new high in both looks and performance with the new U1S-MD.

The blacked-out 41mm PVD-coated steel dive watch has 300m water resistance and runs on a notoriously reliable Sellita caliber SW200-1b automatic movement.

a black Unimatic dive watch on a diver's wrist — The 41mm case size provides the legibility required for actual diving.

The brand’s minimalist dial is punctuated with vibrant white on a matte black background, which extends through the bezel and bracelet. An uncharacteristically detailed dive bezel is marked with a full minute track.

A model of industrial design

Industrial design is best measured on a scatter plot chart, cross-referencing simplicity and effectiveness. Minimalism should be applied for conciseness, not for its own sake.

the front and crown of a Unimatic dive watch — The bezel insert is made of ceramic.

Unimatic’s dial, found on almost every watch it releases, executes the same principles to perfection. Many brands have used similar elements previously, but none with such consistent discipline.

The U1S-MD displays Unimatic’s dial with maximum emphasis, brilliant white details on a matte black background. For enhanced clarity, colored Super-LumiNova distinguishes the dial hour markers, hour hand and second hand in orange from the minute hand and corresponding bezel minute track in blue.

lume glowing on a black Unimatic dive watch — The white markings glow different colors in low light.

Unimatic’s other distinguishing physical feature is the oversized crown signed with a dot and ring in relief. It functions as an unofficial logo, immediately divulging the brand’s identity at a glance.

Going deep

As distinctive as Unimatic’s dial and bezel design language is, the Italian watchmaker sticks to the classics with cases and bracelets. Both components of the U1S-MD borrow heavily from the Rolex Submariner.

the front of a Unimatic dive watch — The U1S-MD comes on a three-link steel bracelet.

Of course, if you’ve got the specs to back it up, there is nothing wrong with emulating the most famous dive watch of all time.

Unimatic is well-practiced in crafting watches with 300m water resistance, a virtually unmatched feat in the affordable boutique watches space.

Ensuring that water resistance is a screw-down crown, 2.5mm thick domed sapphire crystal and a screw-down case back decorated with a distance measurement conversion chart.

the case back of a Unimatic dive watch — The case back is decorated with a measurement conversion chart etching.

The U1S-MD 40mm case, which effectively measures 41mm with an overhanging bezel, braces the Sellita movement with Unimatic’s Tough Case shock-absorbing system.

Unimatic is known for a concise design language that informs every watch it makes with unwavering discipline.

a Unimatic watch box — The U1S-MD comes in a diver case-inspired box.

The U1S-MD conveys the core phrasing of that language in the purest terms while offering top-tier dive performance.

Unsurprisingly, Unimatic has maxed out simplicity and effectiveness in one watch.

Availability and price

The Unimatic U1S-MD is available for preorder for $1,510 and will ship on July 15. It is a limited production of only 99 pieces.

Unimatic U1S-MD

Specs

Case Size	41mm
Movement	Sellita caliber SW200-1b automatic
Water Resistance	300m

$1,510 at Unimatic

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.