Not so long ago, I wrote about the Venezianico Arsenale watch, sharing my impressions of the version with a purple dial. My conclusion wasn’t too optimistic. Even though the watch is exceptionally high-quality, I mentioned that I planned to sell it and rather purchase the black dial version for my son—a version I personally found very boring. Since then, two things have happened.
First, I sold the watch on eBay very quickly. The new owner was thrilled with the watch and especially with the dial color, thanking me for not liking it and for deciding to sell it even though it was completely new.
The second significant thing happened shortly after. As is now customary with Venezianico (and, by the way, I’m liking this habit of theirs less and less), they announced a new version of the Arsenale watch. This time with an UltraBlack dial and an integrated rubber strap. From the very first picture, it was clear to me that this black dial version is anything but boring and belongs in an entirely different category. Plus, a rubber strap is always my first choice. If I hadn’t already sold the purple version, I’d probably be kicking myself for once again falling for Venezianico and buying the initial release too early instead of waiting for the inevitable follow-up versions.
But as I had already sold the purple watch, the decision to buy the UltraBlack version was an easy one—especially when I had the option to purchase not only the original rubber strap but in addition also the bracelet, which I already knew from the purple version and found excellent. Furthermore, the bracelet is always my son’s first choice, and since he’s already “claimed” the black version for himself, I needed that option as well.
The UltraBlack dial is not entirely new to the Venezianico collection—it was previously featured on one of the Redentore models. The standout feature of this dial is its coating with Musou Black paint, a material that absorbs 99.4% of light, resulting in an incredibly deep, almost otherworldly black. Producing such a dial is quite demanding, and the entire procedure is thoroughly explained here.
Since I had the opportunity to compare two different Arsenale watches, I can now objectively evaluate the impact the dial has on the watch’s appearance. All the elegance that the Arsenale already possesses through its design and slim case truly comes to life with the UltraBlack dial. I must admit—I’m simply thrilled with this combination. In fact, I can hardly find the words to describe just how elegant this watch feels. And that’s with the rubber strap, which typically lends watches a sportier vibe.
The strap itself is excellent—appropriately thin and noticeably slimmer than, for example, the rubber straps used on the Nereide models. On top of that, it’s incredibly soft and comfortable. As you can see, the strap integrates seamlessly with an endlink taken directly from the bracelet. I was briefly concerned when I noticed what looked like a crack in the rubber under the screw that secures it to the endlink. At first, I thought it was a defect, but then I saw that the same "crack" appears on all four strap ends. If it were a defect, it certainly wouldn’t be so consistently present.
I honestly can’t wait to try the watch with the bracelet. Based on the photos Alessandro sent me, the bracelet adds the perfect touch of elegance to the watch. You might be wondering why I haven’t tried it yet, since I did order it. Well, the bracelet won’t be available until early December, so for now, I’ll have to make do with the rubber strap.
Returning to the dial for a moment, the UltraBlack dial stands out for its complete simplicity. The only element present is the small Venezianico logo. There are no index markers, which is certainly a drawback for those who value precise timekeeping above all else. As I already mentioned in the review of the purple Arsenale, the absence of a second hand makes it difficult to assess the watch’s accuracy. Here, the problem is even greater — you can never truly set the time precisely, since there are no markers to align the minute hand with. The only guide is the cross formed by the logo; when the minute hand fully overlaps it, you know you’re at the top of the hour.
Another notable feature is that the case back on this model differs from the other Arsenale models. As you can see, the design on the UltraBlack version isn’t Venice-themed but instead depicts a space station and the cosmos. The designers explained that this model invites us to explore the unknown, just as a space station serves as a springboard for journeys into the darkness of space.
Let’s also take a look at how the watch wears. The wrist shots with the rubber strap are mine, while the ones with the bracelet are borrowed from Alessandro for now. Once I receive the bracelet, I’ll of course add my own photos and impressions.
From the photos, you’ll also notice the only real downside I’ve discovered so far. Every speck of dust, every tiny particle, shows up on this watch. Every single time I checked the time, I ended up wiping the crystal. Unbelievable.
The price of the Arsenale UltraBlack is identical to that of the regular Arsenale models on a bracelet, which is actually quite surprising. I had expected it to be higher. However, since rubber straps are generally cheaper than bracelets, the UltraBlack is effectively more expensive than the regular models. One downside for now is that the UltraBlack isn’t available exclusively on a bracelet. If you want the bracelet, you’ll need to pay an additional €100 and replace the rubber strap yourself. For those who aren’t fans of rubber and prefer the watch solely on a bracelet, this isn’t exactly an ideal approach. I believe Venezianico will eventually address this as well.
While I quickly realized with the purple model that it wouldn’t stay in my collection, I can confidently say that this version will definitely remain—and most likely become one of the highlights of my collection. My only concern is that I might rarely get the chance to wear it, as my son may permanently claim it for himself. But those are sweet worries to have.
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