Hands-On With The New Venezianico Arsenale Ultrablack And Blue
Roughly six months ago, I penned my first article on a Venezianico watch. It was impressive considering I hadn’t heard of the brand. Since then, I’ve covered several of the company’s watches from a distance. I finally met the team and saw the watches in person at the WatchPro Salon 2024. Among the pieces we saw were the Arsenale Ultrablack and the blue model with Côtes de Genève finishing.
It’s often the case that seeing a watch in the metal is disappointing. All new timepieces look nice and shiny, but the details frequently suffer. A month ago, I had the chance to see all the Venezianico pieces from the Arsenale collection, including the unreleased Ultrablack. Folks, this might sound like hyperbole, but these might be the best bang-for-the-buck watches in existence. We recently had two pieces in our headquarters, so enjoy the hands-on photos.
The Arsenale Ultrablack and blue
While we covered the Arsenale during the September release, let’s refresh our collective memories with the basic specifications. The stainless steel watches have 40mm by 44mm cases with an 8.95mm thickness, including a sapphire crystal with antireflective coating. Three versions in blue, anthracite, or violet come standard with an integrated Canova bracelet. The new Ultrablack is equipped with a black rubber strap, but the bracelet is available for an additional €100.
The automatic Miyota 9029
All of the Arsenale models use the self-winding Miyota 9029 automatic caliber. This movement has a frequency of 28,800vph and provides 42 hours of power reserve. It features hacking seconds and can be manually wound. Notably, the movement is 3.9mm slim, contributing to its slender overall thickness.
The Ultrablack
The newest release from Venezianico is the Arsenale Ultrablack. This watch follows the same design path as the pieces with Côtes de Genève dials. However, instead of the striped finish, an all-black dial is present. If we recall the Vantablack period when companies experimented with the coating as a dial material, this is similar. Here, though, the coating is called Musou Black and is also trademarked. The problem with Vantablack, despite absorbing 99.965% of the light that hits it, is its brittleness. Musou Black blocks 99.4% and is a more suitable coating.
Unsurprisingly, the effect is dramatic. The dial only contains the applied logo and polished metal hands, so the inky and bottomless black surface dominates the look. In London, we saw the watch on the Canova steel bracelet, and it’s stunning. But why is that?
The details make this watch a giant killer
Several of our readers have purchased an Arsenale and are impressed with their watches. After inspecting them closely, it’s easy to see why. Venezianico has nailed the details on this watch. Some see pieces of other, more expensive timepieces in the Arsenale, including the Parmigiani Tonda PF, Czapek Antarctique, and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. That’s fair, but it’s not a copycat.
A fantastic bezel and case
Without a doubt, the most impressive aspect is the ridged bezel. When in hand, it feels precise and lacks sharp edges or telltale signs that this is a budget watch. The case finishing is also impressive. So many times with an affordable watch, we see a great head-on view, but the transition to the case sides or inner lug area is sloppy. Here, the edges are appropriately finished and sharp to the point that they feel deliberate. Then, the case back also resembles something from a more expensive watch. True, I don’t love the inscription, but the knurling and screws are quality.
The bracelet also impresses
We’re at a point where it’s downright inexcusable for a large brand to make a bad or clunky bracelet. Nevertheless, it still happens all the time. Venezianico’s Canova bracelet is a great example of how to make a lovely, thin bracelet at a fair price. The links have polished and brushed finishes. Plus, the clasp integrates smoothly into the rest of the bracelet, giving it an uninterrupted appearance.
Lovely on the wrist
After wearing the Ultrablack and the blue version of the Arsenale, these watches fit beautifully. They’re elegant yet substantial. It’s the kind of watch that is easily forgotten on the wrist, and I mean that positively. While a 50m water resistance rating isn’t suitable for scuba diving, it’s enough for most of life’s tasks.
How to look at the Ultrablack and the blue Arsenale
When I first saw the Arsenale in press photos, my immediate reaction was to dismiss it as yet another entry in the integrated-bracelet sub-genre. However, after I wrote the initial article based on the press release, I wanted to see the watches up close. After doing so and speaking with the brand’s founders, it’s now clear that Venezianico is aiming to be more than another new watch brand. There’s a lot in the pipeline.
With that in mind, I don’t look at the Arsenale Ultrablack or the colorful versions as low-cost options in the integrated-bracelet category. These watches are worth considering on their own if the design is appealing. Still, with a starting price of €656 (ex. VAT) for all of the models, these feel like an absolute steal in the current market. I don’t require another modern timepiece, but I am sorely tempted. The watches are simply that good.
What do you make of them? As always, we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.
This is a partnership post. Read about our transparency here.
