About six months ago, I wrote my first article about Venezianico watches. It was a brand I had never heard of, so it was very impressive. Since then, I’ve covered some of the company’s watches from afar. I finally met the team at WatchPro Salon 2024 and saw the watch in person. Among the pieces we saw were blue models with Arsenale Ultrablack and Côtes de Genève finishes.
I am often disappointed when I see metal watches. All new watches look beautiful and shiny, but often the details are scratched. A month ago, I had the opportunity to see all of Venezianico’s works in the Arsenale collection, including the unreleased Ultra Black. This may sound like an exaggeration, folks, but these may be the best value watches in existence. We recently received two items at our headquarters, so please enjoy the actual photos.
Arsenale Ultra Black and Blue
We covered the Arsenale in our September release, but let’s refresh your memory with the basic specs. The stainless steel watch has a 40mm x 44mm, 8.95mm thick case and features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. The three versions – blue, anthracite and violet – come standard with an integrated Canova bracelet. The new Ultra Black is equipped with a black rubber strap, but a bracelet is available for an additional 100 euros.
Automatic Miyota 9029
All Arsenale models are powered by the automatic Miyota 9029 automatic caliber. This movement has a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 42 hours. It is equipped with a hacking seconds hand and can be wound by hand. What is noteworthy is that the movement is thin at 3.9mm, making the overall thickness slim.
ultra black
Venezianico’s latest release is Arsenale Ultrablack. This watch follows the same design path as the Côtes de Genève dial watch. However, instead of the striped finish, there is an all-black dial. It’s similar if you think back to the days of Vantablack, when companies were experimenting with coatings as materials for dials. However, this coating is called Musou Black and is trademarked. The problem with Vantablack is that even though it absorbs 99.965% of the light that hits it, it is brittle. Musou Black blocks 99.4% and is a more suitable coating.
Unsurprisingly, the effect is dramatic. An inky, bottomless black surface dominates the look, as the dial contains only an applied logo and polished metal hands. I saw a Canova steel bracelet watch in London and it was amazing. But why?
The details make this watch a huge killer
Several of our readers have purchased Arsenale and are impressed with the watch. If you examine them closely, it’s easy to see why. Venezianico paid attention to the details of this watch. At the Arsenale, some will also see pieces from other more expensive watches, such as the Parmigiani Tonda PF, Čapek Antarctic, and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. That’s fair, but not imitation.
great bezel and case
Without a doubt, the most striking aspect is the raised bezel. In the hand, it feels precise and there are no sharp edges or signs that this is a budget watch. The finish of the case is also impressive. Affordable watches often have great views from the front, but have a sloppy transition to the sides and interior lugs of the case. Here, the edges are nicely finished and sharp enough to feel intentional. And the case back also resembles that of more expensive watches. Admittedly, I don’t like the engravings, but the knurling and screws are of high quality.
The bracelet is also impressive.
We’re at a point where it’s completely unacceptable for big brands to make bad or clunky bracelets. Nevertheless, it still happens all the time. Venezianico’s Canova bracelet is a great example of how to make a beautiful, thin bracelet at a fair price. The links have a polished and brushed finish. Additionally, the clasp seamlessly integrates with the rest of the bracelet, giving it an uninterrupted look.
nice on the wrist
These watches fit beautifully when worn with the Ultra Black and Arsenale Blue versions. It has an elegant yet profound feel. It’s the kind of watch that’s easy to forget when it’s on your wrist, and that’s a positive thing. Water resistance of 50 meters is not suitable for scuba diving, but is sufficient for most everyday uses.
How to see the Ultra Black and Blue Arsenal
When I first saw the Arsenale in press photos, my immediate reaction was to dismiss it as yet another entry in the bracelet-integrated subgenre. However, after writing the first article based on the press release, I wanted to see the watch up close. After doing so and speaking with the brand’s founders, it became clear that Venezianico was aiming to be more than just a new watch brand. There’s a lot in the pipeline.
With that in mind, I don’t consider the Arsenale Ultra Black or the colorful versions to be low-cost options in the bracelet-integrated category. These watches are worth considering in their own right if the design is appealing. Still, with a starting price of 656 euros (excluding VAT) for all models, these feel like absolute steals in the current market. I don’t need another modern watch, but it’s very tempting. The watch is simply good.
what do you think about them? As always, share your thoughts in the comments.
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