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 the color of the dial, 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 subsequent versions that inevitably follow. But as I had already sold the pink 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 was excellent. Furthermore, the bracelet is always my son’s first choice, and as 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 used in one of the Redentore watches. The standout feature of this dial is that it is coated with Musou Black paint, which absorbs 99.4% of light, resulting in an incredibly deep black color. The production of such a dial is quite demanding, 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 of the dial on the watch’s appearance. All the elegance that the Arsenale offers with its design and slim case truly shines with the UltraBlack dial. I must admit, I’m simply thrilled with this combination. In fact, I can’t even find the words to describe just how elegant this watch feels. And that’s with the rubber strap, which typically gives watches a sportier vibe.
The strap itself is excellent—appropriately thin and significantly slimmer than, for example, the rubber straps on the Nereide models. On top of that, it’s incredibly soft. As you can see, the strap integrates seamlessly with an endlink that originates from the bracelet. I was a bit surprised by what appeared to be 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 noticed that the same "crack" appears on all four ends of the strap. If it were a defect, it certainly wouldn’t be consistent across the board.
I can’t wait to try the watch with the bracelet. From the photos Alessandro sent me, the bracelet adds the perfect touch of elegance to the watch. You might be wondering why I haven’t already tried it, given that I ordered it. Well, the bracelet won’t be available until early December, so for now, I’ll have to settle for the rubber strap.
Returning to the dial for a moment, the UltraBlack dial stands out for its complete simplicity. The only element on the dial 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 mentioned on the purple Arsenale, the absence of a second hand makes it difficult to determine the watch’s accuracy. Here, the problem is even bigger — you can never set the time precisely since there are no markers to align the minute hand with. The only guide is the cross of the logo; when the minute hand completely overlaps it, you’re at the full 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 model isn’t Venice-themed but instead depicts a space station and the cosmos. The watch 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 the unknown.
Let’s also take a look at how the watch wears. The wrist shots with the watch on 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 the regular Arsenale models on a bracelet, which is actually quite surprising. I expected it to be higher. However, since rubber straps are generally cheaper than bracelets, the UltraBlack is actually more expensive than the regular models. One downside for now is that the UltraBlack is not available exclusively on a bracelet. If you want the bracelet, you’ll need to pay an additional €100 and replace the rubber strap by yourself. For those who don’t like rubber straps and prefer to wear the watch solely on a bracelet, this isn’t exactly an exciting 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 this version will definitely remain and 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 might permanently claim it for himself. But those are sweet worries.
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