Unimatic and Massena Lab have created a limited edition watch with a color scheme similar to French Navy dive watches from the 1960s.
The Unimatic x Massena Lab Marine U1-MLM is offered in a 41.5 mm x 13.6 mm stainless steel case with a blue dial, blue anodized aluminum bezel insert, is powered by a Seiko movement, and complemented by two fabric straps.
While the colors and dial inspired by the past, overall the aesthetic and functions are resolutely modern. The unidirectional bezel has 120-clicks and it hangs slightly over the edge of the case middle, which enhances grip. Off-white 60-minute graduations on the bezel and a small olive pip at 12 allow the watch to be used for dive timing.
A unique depigmentation process has been used and results in a range of color hues from navy to turquoise, which the companies refer to as an “aged” or “faded” dial. Large off-white, printed, luminous, circular and horizontal rectangles and a triangle at 12 punctuate the dial and mark the hours. An open off-white printed chapter ring surrounds the dial and indicates minutes and seconds. The hour and minute hands are thick and pencil-shaped with a blued treatment and a generous amount of lume. The seconds hand has also been blued and has a luminous lollipop counterweight with a white lacquer painted tip on the opposite end.
A domed sapphire crystal protects the dial. The crown is screwed down to the case and protected by crown guards. The solid screw-down caseback features an engraving of a marine anchor along with the limited numbered edition XXX/200. Water-resistance is rated to 300 meters.
Driving the hours, minutes, center seconds hands, and the date wheel is a Seiko caliber NH35A which is a 3Hz automatic with bi-directional winding, hacking seconds, hand winding, and a 41-hour power reserve.
Completing the French Navy professional dive watch look is a 22 mm French Navy style olive and yellow line strap, and a 22 mm blue heavy-duty Unimatic Nato style strap. Each limited edition is housed in a branded UNIMATIC x Massena LAB tough case with a warranty card and unique ID seal.
The Unimatic x Massena Lab Marine U1-MLM retails for $895 and is produced in a limited run of 200 pieces and sold exclusively at Massena Lab.
