The Unity Strong ofUnity WatchesIt is an atypical watch to say the least from several points of view. Aesthetically, it is vaguely reminiscent of the creations ofRomain JeromeAnd technically those responsible have not gone crazy with “Swiss made” despite the tempting nature of the topic.
Unity Watches is a young company born in Barcelona (Spain) from enthusiasm but, above all, from the brains of three partners who share a passion for watchmaking. Their “Barcelona Made” is not just a slogan: they have set out to work with as many local suppliers as possible and except for the caliber, which is Swiss, it seems that they are achieving it.
As it could not be otherwise given its youth as a company, the business model ofUnity WatchesIt is web based. And it is precisely on its website where its motto is found: “Build your time.” AconfiguratorIt allows the visitor to choose different materials and finishes for the different elements of the watch, from the movement to the strap through 11 other components and, finally, buy the result.
It must be said here that these watches require a certain “adaptation phase” on the part of the fan, because their peculiar appearance is so different from what is established that, when one sees them for the first time, one does not know exactly how to rate their sensations, and I speak from my own experience.
The model that I present in thisreviewIt is one of the “All Black Colors” that have been produced in such a limited series as it is one of one for each color. I liked ocher (they call it "nature") when I saw it in thepop up store que Unity Watchesrecently organized in Barcelona. Since it can still be customized, I chose a different crown and strap than the ones it came with in its original configuration. It is a strong watch in terms of measurements: 44 millimeters make it large if one is not used to, for example, Panerai watches, which in some way it also reminds us, but it is surprisingly comfortable to wear even with a shirt. Its weight including the strap: 125 grams.
Although this combination is not ideal for dressing (black DLC case, very dark gray dial, with ocher indexes, black hands...) it gives off a certain elegance to which the Gunny Straps strap is no stranger, another example of the concern ofUnity Watchesfor the details. Details that include having looked for a Swiss company to carry out the polishing and coating of the box components because in Spain they could not find a supplier that met their level of demand, or having ordered a calendar disc expressly for this unit, with ocher numbering on a black background.
Despite having black hands – with black luminova – on a dark background, the legibility is good enough to use it in low light. On the negative side, it must be mentioned that the luminova is not particularly effective and lasts very little after being exposed to light (which has to be quite intense). That is to say, this readability is *not* thanks to the luminova but rather despite its low efficiency.
But what makes specialStrong by Unity Watches es precisamente su caja: las cuatro “grapas” que a la vez configuran las asas donde se fijará la correa son como pequeñas esculturas que se fijan a la carrura mediante tornillos allen (dos por grapa) y que confieren al Strong toda su personalidad. Esta en concreto contiene un movimiento ETAsa 2824 que se sujeta a ella mediante una bata de aluminio que queda estratégicamente oculta bajo la tapa trasera aun teniendo ésta un cristal transparente. Puestos a ser críticos, he de decir que el DLC ha cubierto tal vez demasiado algunas inscripciones sobre ella (aunque no soy partidario de volver a marcar las letras una vez hecho el tratamiento), un tema que están resolviendo en las unidades actualmente en producción. La parte buena es que en caso de que eso te importe no afecta a la estética general del conjunto porque una vez el reloj puesto queda tocando a la muñeca y es imposible apreciarlo. La corona es el modelo “superficie de diamante”, uno de los tres tipos disponibles, siempre roscada y con doble junta de nitrilo para poder garantizar una resistencia mínima al agua de 10 atmósferas o 100 metros. Una vez más, esto no significa que se pueda hacer submarinismo con él pero desde luego aguanta un chapuzón. El cristal es de zafiro con efecto dioptría y tratamiento anti-reflejos por la parte interior, que cuesta más del triple que la versión más barata disponible ( el cristal mineral plano sin tratamiento: 20 €)
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I do not know the exact Gunny Straps strap model that is offered as an option in the configurator.Unity Watches, I only know that when I saw it installed on what was going to be my unit I thought there was no better strap for a watch like that.Peter Gunnyis one of the most reputable craftsmen on the internet when it comes to “custom-made” straps, capable of pleasing the most capricious customer: you just have to look at the assortment ofyour page. The buckle can also be chosen in two shapes and three finishes each. Mine is one of the so-called “pre-Vendome (Panerai slang) in black DLC.
I don't know if a watch whose unique configuration (it is made very clear on the dial: no. 1/1) increases by €150 the "base" price of €1,200 that includes taxes in the EU and shipping, far from the 50% increase that "costs" that exclusivity of being a unique piece on the website itself. Like so many things, this is something totally subjective and will depend on what it is compared to, but if we take into account that “Barcelona Made” with Swiss movement and finishes, the short run and the possibility of having a unique watch, it can be said that it is an interesting price to say the least. And yes, I like it.
www.unitywatches.com
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