The success of Unimatic is clearly illustrated by the brand’s new partnership with Japanese retailer BIOTOP. The brand’s watches are fresh, fun, and frugal fan fodder that allows budding watch-lovers to buy in to the hobby and experienced collectors to pick up a reliable beater for the weekend. The release of the Unimatic Modello Uno U1-BTP watch celebrates the genesis of this relationship with a utilitarian model limited to just 100 pieces that will, no doubt, appeal to the existing fan base, as well as catch some new eyes with its unusual colorway.
BIOTOP will be the first store to carry the Italian brand in Japan. Following successful store openings in both Tokyo and Osaka, the retailer will expand to Fukuoka, with their new store’s opening coinciding with the release of this earthy special edition.
The Unimatic Modello Uno U1-BTP watch uses the brand’s Modello Uno, and is the first to feature a “369” dial design. The colorway of this limited edition gives the watch a military, technical feel. The tool vibes exuded by this rugged watch are enhanced by the “old radium” Super-LumiNova, which gives the impression that this watch has seen plenty of time on the wrist, exposed to the elements the second it comes out of the box.
The brown rotating 12-hour bezel allows the wearer to track time in a second time-zone. Time-keeping duties are handled by the automatic Seiko NH35A, which has a projected performance profile of -20/+40 seconds per day and a 41-hour power reserve.
A double-domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal tops a solid 316 brushed stainless steel case (water-resistant to 300 meters), providing an excellent view of the highly legible dial, which follows the other Unimatic models by not printing any text between the 12 o’clock mark and the center.
A closed caseback is engraved with the model limitation number. There is a choice between a heavy-duty nylon NATO strap in brown and a stainless steel bracelet. There will only be 20 pieces made available on the bracelet, which carries a $200+ premium.
The Unimatic × BIOTOP U1-BTP watch will be on sale exclusively in Japan through BIOTOP Stores, starting July 12th with a retail price of 85,000 JPY +VAT (roughly $800 at the time of writing) and 110,000 JPY +VAT (around $1,040) on a stainless steel bracelet. Learn more about the brand at unimaticwatches.com.
