The name gives it away, but this monochromatic stunner is a blacked-out iteration of the brand's familiar silhouette Replica Watches. But just because it's executed in a single color doesn't mean its basic.
True to Vuitton form, this timepiece is packed with details and considered touches that make it feel worth its four-figure price tag. There's an interplay of matte and shine finishes throughout (see: the PVD-coated stainless case, the clean dial, the DLC-coated buckle, the rubber-coated crown, and alligator strap) that makes the watch interesting at every angle.
A tonal charcoal "V" cuts down the center of the dial, a touch that's graphic and cool and also branded in the best kind of way (same goes for the brand's name stamped around the perimeter of the case).
The three chronograph sub-dials don't interrupt the design as much as seamlessly blend into it, complementing the other quiet contrasts on the face, like the streamlined indices and date window. It's a watch as stealthy and sleek as the Batmobile, but one you can wear on your wrist.
The face design is well balanced, with three chronograph dials offsetting the watch's four numerical markers and a contrast white date display. It's all housed in the watches.But the real story here is the can't-miss-it, not-quite-neon yellow that pops off both the nylon strap and the slick black face. On the strap the touch calls to mind road markings, while indices give the impression that you're looking into spokes on a wheel.
It's a flashy color combination that's sporty but still streamlined, so it won't look out of place if you want to wear it to the office on a casual Friday. Of course on the weekend's, this watch becomes the can't-miss element in any outfit, be it a t-shirt and shorts or a polo and khakis on a night out. It fulfills all the criteria of a great summer watch: it's bright, it's bold, and all purpose enough to wear all season long.
Partly that's because Unimatic seemingly borrowed some of the Modello Uno's DNA from a few hall-of-fame dive watches—the dial and its dot indices echo the watches, while the spare bezel riffs on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms'—which makes the U-1D look like something your dad dusted off and handed down to you.
And though a dive watch is technically a watch, the Unimatic—like the icons its borrowing from—is so unburdened by showiness, so platonically classic, that you don't need to save it for Saturdays. Short of a black tie soiree, it'll fit in anywhere: at work, on a date, on vacation, and back in time.
Unlike either of those legendary watches, which will set you back four or five figures, Unimatic's affordable dive watch costs less than $550 (depending on how the Euro's dancing that day). For that price you get a stainless steel case, a sapphire crystal, a thick (though slightly short) gray NATO band, a damn-near-invincible Seiko automatic Omega Replica movement, and a 100M/330-foot water-resistant rating.
