A Match Made In Italy: The Unimatic X Tullio Abbate Modello Watches

It’s no secret that Italian watch brand Unimatic like doing collaborations, and that too a little differently. Past projects have involved everyone from fashion labels to carmakers, but this latest one heads to the water. Unimatic have teamed up with Tullio Abbate, an Italian company that is known for building high-performance speedboats on Lake Como, to create two limited-edition Modello watches that look very different from each other. The Modello Uno U1-TAB borrows its colours and graphic details from Tullio Abbate, while the Modello Quattro U4S-C-TAB goes in the opposite direction with forged carbon and a much more understated appearance. Both feature 40mm cases, 300m water resistance, automatic movements, and the functional design language that has become synonymous with Unimatic watches. One is bright and unmistakably nautical, and then the other is focusing on material tech for a lighter feel on the wrist, not to mention giving every watch its own unique pattern.

Italian Partners, Italian Precision: The Unimatic X Tullio Abbate Modello 

Of the two, the Modello Uno asks for your attention first. The 40mm brushed stainless-steel case features a 120-click unidirectional safety bezel with a reflex blue aluminium insert carrying Tullio Abbate's signature number 5. Below it sits a matt white dial with reflex blue details and a red-tipped seconds hand that brings contrast to the watch face. The colours are bold, but do not feel overdone. It is a Modello Uno, so it remains simple and practical, and comes with a sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, Super-LumiNova, and 300m water resistance. The Unimatic Modello Uno U1-TAB is paired with a reflex blue TPU quick-release strap, with an additional grey nylon strap included in the box. Inside is Seiko's dependable NH35A automatic movement, which beats at 21,600vph and comes with hacking seconds, hand-winding, and over 41 hours of power reserve. Just 200 individually numbered pieces will be made: a plus for those who collect limited-edition watches.

The Modello Quattro swaps steel for a 40mm matt forged carbon case, paired with a fixed monoblock bezel and a screw-down caseback carrying Tullio Abbate's signature number 5. Its forged carbon dial means no two watches will look exactly the same. Grey details, matt black hands, and the red-tipped seconds hand keep the display good-looking, while the fixed bezel gives it a cleaner appearance than its diving sibling. Power comes from the Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 b automatic movement, running at 28,800vph with around 41 hours of power reserve. A matt black TPU quick-release strap completes the package. Limited to only 50 individually numbered pieces, it becomes the rarer of the two releases.

Reliable And Practical

Despite taking different design and visual directions, both Modello watches stay true to Unimatic's tool-watch philosophy. Each is individually tested for accuracy and 300m water resistance, and features drilled lugs with 22mm strap compatibility. Quick-release straps also make swapping between different ones easy.

Each of these iterations has its own way of showcasing this partnership. Whether you prefer the crisp white-and-blue look of the Modello Uno or the darker character of the Modello Quattro, the collaboration offers two completely different personalities without moving away from what Unimatic already do well.

The Unimatic x Tullio Abbate Modello Uno U1-TAB and Modello Quattro U4S-C-TAB in a nutshell

• Case: 40mm; brushed 316L stainless-steel case or matt forged carbon case; 300m water resistance
• Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds
• Dial: Matt white dial with reflex blue accents or matt forged carbon dial with cool grey accents
• Movement: Seiko NH35A automatic calibre with hacking seconds and hand-winding or Sellita SW200-1 b automatic calibre with hacking seconds (Modello Quattro U4S-C-TAB); 41-hour power reserve
• Strap: Reflex blue TPU quick-release strap with additional cool grey nylon strap or matt black TPU quick-release strap with forged carbon hardware