Unimatic is expanding their Toolwatch concept this week with a limited edition ProDiver reference that pairs the best of Unimatic Modello Uno diver design with the brand’s newest Toolwatch tough tech. It’s a combination that makes a lot of sense on paper, and makes for what may be the most function-forward diver from the brand. The DNA is unmistakable at this point, and with this, some of my biggest gripes with the Toolwatch diver are addressed, which largely boils down to overall legibility. The takeaway here is that Unimatic is treating the advancements seen in the Toolwatch collection as viable for all collections.
Taking a step back, Unimatic has developed a bit of a dual personality. They exhibit a straightforward approach to developing high functionality within a framework that may have begun as form-first. That foundation leads them to also be adept at letting their hair down a bit to express a creative vision in unexpected ways in collaborative efforts as well as their own limited editions. However, this Modello Uno falls decidedly into that straightforward, high function bucket.
At a glance, this watch may appear awfully similar to the existing Modello Uno UT1 Toolwatch and, well, it is. It shares the same dimensions, case material and finish, depth rating (300m), and bezel finish. They even share the same Seiko VH31A quartz movement. A closer look does reveal some key differences, however. The biggest of which is the shift from the Arabic numerals to mark the hours, to the much easier to read oversized circular lume plots. Further, the bezel makes the move to an elapsed time configuration compared to the countdown situation happening in the Toolwatch diver. Oh, and there’s a red triangle at 12 o’clock.
These may be small changes, but they do make a noticeable difference in the overall vibe of the watch. The better way to think about it is that the features unique to the Toolwatch collection are being fit to a ProDiver, which means it gets the 360 degree shock protection system and gasket, making it far more shock resistant than its standard ProDiver counterparts. This is a system that makes a great deal of sense within a ProDiver setup.
It’s a meaningful crossover, though at the moment it exists as a limited edition with just 250 examples planned for production. This undoubtedly signals further exploration of the Toolwatch tech to follow. With any luck, at least. The Modello Uno UT1-PD is available now, and is priced at $740. Unimatic
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2 responses to “Introducing: Unimatic Modello Uno UT1-PD Toolwatch”
Blake, as a fan of the CWC Ti300, I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on how these stack up. I see a lot of similarities (eg. quartz, MilSub-adjacent designs), but also a lot of key differences—just hazarding a guess, but probably the fit and feel on the wrist. Interesting competitors—it’s great to have these choices.
Hey Pete, it’s a good question – and I think one that will largely boil down to aesthetic preference between the old school look of the CWC vs the more modern/conceptual look of the Unimatic. Both are certainly plenty capable, but I’d say that the CWC has a higher level of overall fit and finish quality, at least compared to the Toolwatch I reviewed when they released. Totally agree, great to have options like these being made today!