Introducing: Unimatic Partners With RUF And Highsnobiety On Two New Modello Tre Watches
What We Know
Italian microbrand (if we can still call it that) Unimatic have partnered up with streetwear media platform Highsnobiety and German car manufacturer RUF Automobile (which turns 85 this year) on two new versions of the Modello Tre U3. If you’re familiar with Unimatic’s catalog, then both U3-RUF should look somewhat familiar.
The Modello Tre U3-RUF-G (green and cool grey color-coded) features a 120-click unidirectional bezel with a tachymeter scale and comes equipped with the two-register dial layout that is typical of the Modello Tre series: a 24-hour register at three o’clock and an open 60-minute totalizer opposite it at nine o’clock.
For this LE Modello Tre, we get a very large RUF logo and a smaller Highsnobiety logo displayed at 12 o’clock. Large pump pushers (which measure 5.5mm each) flank the oversized Unimatic crown and extend diagonally from the satin-finished 316L stainless steel 41.5mm case. It’s also water resistant to 300 meters, which is exactly what you’d expect out of a Unimatic. The Tre U3-RUF-B is pretty much the same, but without the tachymeter scale and with a more modernist black and yellow color scheme.
The color schemes are reflective of RUF’s design universe and include “The iconic Yellow of the Yellowbird and our signature Green.” explains Aloisa Ruf, Head of Collaborations, “[which] not only make the watches visually striking but also deeply connected to our brand’s heritage and identity. The design reflects the sportiness of the cars.” I asked Aloisa which car she would pair with each watch: “The U3-RUF-B, Yellow-themed watch would be a natural match for the iconic RUF CTR “Yellowbird,” she went on to comment ” [and] the U3-RUF-G Green-themed watch complements the RUF SCR.”
Both versions of this new collaboration have a retail price of EUR 950 and each is limited to 100 pieces.
What We Think
This is the second three-way watch collaboration for German car manufacturer RUF Automobile. In 2022, RUF released a limited edition RUF x Bamford x Highsnobiety TAG Heuer Carrera. So why Unimatic this time? It’s a less obvious connection to motorsport, but perhaps a very democratic 950 euros and clean, minimalist design language makes sense for the younger watch-savvy Highsnobiety consumer? The RUF logo certainly stands out in its size, but I suppose a collab is the appropriate moment to be a little splashy and make some noise.
We are so far beyond the saturation point for collaborations that it’s become about the actual product, not the hype surrounding the product. Which I suppose is a good thing? For car aficionados, RUF holds weight in the space. While I’m not particularly interested in the automotive space, even I know RUF is cool. That’s just how impactful their brand is. Despite having collaboration fatigue, it’s affirming to see three brands that feel fresh and unique in their respective lanes come together on a watch.
The Basics
Brand: Unimatic
Model: Modello Tre U3-RUF-G; Modello Tre U3-RUF-B
Diameter: 41.5mm; 41.5mm
Case Material: stainless steel; stainless steel
Dial Color: white; black
Lume: Super-LumiNova® C1 white; Super-LumiNova® GL yellow
Water Resistance: 300m
Strap/Bracelet: RUF green nylon NATO strap, stainless steel brushed hardware signed UNIMATIC; Black nylon NATO strap, DLC black brushed finish hardware signed UNIMATIC
The Movement
Caliber: Meca-quartz calibre Seiko VK64A
Functions: Hours, minutes, central chrono seconds, chrono minutes, and chrono hours (max 24 hour)
Frequency: 32,768 Hz
Additional Details: Battery-powered quartz with mechanical-style chronograph actuation.
Pricing & Availability
Price: 950 €
Limited Edition: Yes. Both colors are individually numbered, edition of 100.
For more, click here.
Hodinkee
