Incredible but true! Just one day after publishing the review of the Redentore Enigma watch, I received a notification from Venezianico that my Arsenale was ready for shipment. The reason for the time gap between the review of the Enigma and this one wasn’t due to a long wait for the Arsenale, but rather my holiday absence.
As evident from my reviews, the Arsenale is my fourth Venezianico watch, and I must admit I had been looking forward to this one the most. My expectations for this watch were very high. All the reviews published by my colleagues who received the watch before me praised its design, its slimness, and often compared it to the Christopher Ward Ti12 — but significantly cheaper thanks to the choice of movement (the Arsenale runs on the Miyota 9029). So, as I was opening the package, I felt like a child unwrapping presents under a Christmas tree, nervously hoping to find exactly what he wished for.
However, my first impression left me cold. To be blunt — I was disappointed. There was no spark between the watch and me as I had hoped. Out of the four Venezianico watches I’ve purchased, this one definitely made the weakest first impression.
Why? I’m not entirely sure. Perhaps my expectations were simply too high. Maybe I made the wrong choice with the dial color — the purple just didn’t resonate with me. Perhaps things would’ve been completely different had I chosen the blue version instead. Interestingly, my twenty-year-old son, who’s inherited more than a few of my traits and is quite into watches (he regularly borrows mine), sent me a wrist shot of the Arsenale while I was away, saying he really liked it — but adding, “Why on earth did you go with the purple dial instead of the black?” For the record, I found the black one completely dull and boring.
Why did I start this review so pessimistically and depressively? Because I wanted to illustrate just how important personal taste and style are when it comes to this watch. In reality, the watch is exceptionally well made. If you’re a fan of Genta-inspired integrated bracelet designs, chances are you’ll really like this one.
It’s incredibly cohesive — despite having a “mere” 40mm diameter and a 44mm lug-to-lug length, it wears larger due to its slim 8.9mm thickness. The shape of the case allows it to sit comfortably on both smaller and larger wrists.
The dial is elegantly executed: very clean, with côte de Genève stripes that elevate its visual appeal to another level. No unnecessary numerals or excess text — just pure, minimal elegance.
The bracelet is outstanding. At first glance, it might look similar to the ones on the Bucintoro and Nereide Agata models, but a closer inspection reveals it’s a clear step up in quality. While the pattern is shared, the execution is quite different. On this bracelet, all links are thinner, completely flat, and designed to flow with the watch’s slim profile, ensuring it doesn’t appear bulky. The links feature a combination of satin-brushed and polished surfaces, adding to the sophistication. And on top of that, they can be removed effortlessly using screws — a welcome improvement.
The integration of the bracelet into the case is flawless. Smooth, refined, and a real eye-catcher.
Despite my initial disappointment, I decided to give the watch a fair chance. I wore it continuously for more than a week and discovered that it sits beautifully on the wrist. It truly is slim and elegant. The purple color, which initially concerned me, turned out to be quite versatile — it pairs well with both black and blue outfits and complements casual attire nicely. It doesn’t work as well with sporty clothes, but that was to be expected.
As for the lack of a second hand — something I already discussed when reviewing the Enigma — I found it even more noticeable here, given the classic three-hand dial layout. Initially, I thought I wouldn't miss it, but I must admit I actually do. Without it, I can’t easily track whether the watch is running or assess its accuracy in daily use. That said, based on my previously very positive experiences with Miyota 9xxx movements, I believe this one is also quite accurate. My measurements on the timegraph confirm that assumption.
Another letdown is the absence of lume. It’s a shame that the hollow hands weren’t filled — doing so wouldn’t have compromised the watch’s elegance but would have added welcome functionality.
So, how to sum it up?
The pre-order price was 800 EUR, with official deliveries scheduled for November 29. In my opinion, that’s a fair price considering the high quality of the design and build, even though it’s on the higher side for a watch with a Miyota movement — especially at a pre-order price, which usually comes with a discount.
But more important than the price is how you connect with the watch personally. That’s something I experienced first-hand. Although I love integrated bracelets and appreciate good design, this watch didn’t win me over the way I hoped it would. After a week of wearing it, I find it charming — yes — but in the context of my existing collection, I know it won’t stay. It’s going up for sale.
Still, a word of caution — after wearing it once, my son was quite taken with it and immediately asked me to buy the black version for him. So, as the saying goes, “Every eye has its own painter.”
And that’s the key point: this is a very well-executed watch at a fair price. Whether or not it’s for you comes down to personal taste — no more, no less.
Add comment
Comments