Four Italians

L'Officiel Arabia shines a spotlight on four remarkable Italian watch brands that are redefining the watchmaking landscape. Each of these brands carries a unique story and a distinct approach, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern flair. They reflect Italy's rich heritage while also embracing innovation and sustainability, making them stand out in today’s market. With a perfect mix of elegance and cutting-edge design, they’re capturing the spirit of contemporary watchmaking savoir flaire and showing us what the future of timekeeping looks like.

Astonishing mechanics, perfect for the bold and the daring. The D1 Milano Skeleton watch features a see-through skeleton dial, an automatic movement with 24 jewels, and gunmetal stainless steel elements. This model embodies the dual essence of the D1 Milano brand. Founded in 2013 by Dario Spallone, now in his thirties, D1 Milano has become a key player in the international watchmaking scene, selling 90,000 models annually. The brand's growth has been authentic, dynamic, and driven by excellence. The Skeleton watch reflects this journey with its balance of technical innovation-meticulously researched materials, colors, and components-and aesthetic appeal, blending vintage shapes with modern minimalist lines. At D1 Milano, we call this true design: a 360° approach to crafting products that are as simple in appearance as they are complex beneath the surface.

See: www.d1milano.com ; @d1milano

The Italian watch brand Locman first launched the Montecristo collection in the 1990s, inspired by the mythic and uninhabited island of Montecristo, with a focus on striking uniqueness and rarity. The line has evolved, blending advanced technology with a passion for the sea and nature, a key aspect Locman prides itself on due to its origins on Elba Island, while maintaining the bold yet captivating design that made it famous. The Montecristo 500M, launched in summer 2024, stands out in the collection, representing the brand’s cutting-edge innovation. It features the Swiss-made Sellita SW200 automatic movement, housed in a 43mm stainless steel case with sapphire glass and a titanium back engraved with a starfish. Designed for deep diving, the watch is waterproof up to 500 meters (50 atmospheres) and includes a helium valve to prevent damage during decompression. Luminescent numbers and indices ensure readability in low-light conditions. The Montecristo 500M is available with a silicone strap for underwater adventures or a steel bracelet for a more elegant look, combining robustness, style, and comfort. It’s the perfect fusion of marine heritage, design, and superior underwater performance.

See: www.locman.it ; @locman_italy_

Echo/Neutra, the Italian Watch brand founded by Nicola Callegaro and Cristiano Quaglia, is committed to crafting sustainable, minimalist timepieces. Their latest collection, Rivanera, reflects a two-year design process, merging the intrinsic elegance of a dress watch with the modernity of sports styling through the use of Grade 5 titanium and a fine-sandblasted finish. The watch features a 40 mm width, a 20 mm lug span, and a remarkable thickness of just 5.5 mm (5.9 mm with flat sapphire glass). Grade 5 titanium, a blend of 90% titanium, 6% aluminum, and 4% vanadium, was selected for its superior scratch resistance compared to common Grade 2 titanium. This choice ensures the watch remains lightweight, enhancing comfort on the wrist without sacrificing contemporary style. The finely sandblasted finish contrasts beautifully with polished edges, creating stunning light reflections while the total weight of the watch is a mere 21 grams. The Rivanera boasts an Art Deco-style dial with applied indices that reflect light from every angle, encased in a titanium case. Powered by the renowned Swiss ETA 7001 manual-winding movement, this timepiece features 17 jewels and offers a 42-hour power reserve when fully wound, ensuring reliable performance while maintaining its elegant design.

See: www.echoneutra.com  ; @echo_neutra

Inspired by the aesthetics of the surrealist movement and the centenary of the Surrealist Manifesto from 1924, the Exaequo brand, part of the U-BOAT Group, has redefined the concept of time with its melting watches. This captivating collection merges aesthetics and functionality, embodying fluid and unconventional time. Each timepiece reflects the idea of subjective time, distorted by human perception, highlighting life’s ephemeral nature and the fragility of existence. At the same time, these watches offer a visual expression of the unconscious and dream worlds, challenging conventional notions of rationality and contrasting societal norms.

The Melting Watch features asymmetric and sinuous lines, crafted from satin-finished 316L stainless steel or PVD gold. Measuring about 47 mm in length and approximately 28 mm in width, the watch showcases a two-level dial protected by a domed plastic crystal, available in five hues: blue, black, white, green, and gold. Each dial is adorned with Roman numerals that harmonize beautifully with the surreal aesthetic. The case back allows for personalization and is secured with four screws, ensuring water resistance up to 30 meters while enabling easy battery replacement and access to the electromechanical Ronda 751 movement.

Complementing these unique timepieces, Exaequo offers a selection of smooth leather straps crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring both comfort and durability. With classic colors like black, brown, dark blue, and green, each strap features a half-wrapped rim that perfectly accentuates the watch's design. Personal touches can be easily added through choices of silver or gold buckles, allowing wearers to customize their look and express their individual style. Embrace the surreal with Exaequo and refresh your everyday aesthetic, wrapping your wrist in a timeless icon of style and culture.

see: www.exaequowatches.com ; @exaequo_official