The Paris-based street culture lab NOUS (?We? in French) has teamed up with the Italian firm Unimatic to offer a limited edition of 50 watches called the U1-NU. This 40-millimeter, all-black DLC watch fits seamlessly with NOUS?s self-proclaimed street culture aesthetic. What, exactly, is street culture" Visually, hip-hop is a strong influence, but so is skate culture, hardcore-punk, and (though older) rave culture, all decidedly positive forces that celebrate the diversity and cosmopolitanism found in large, modern cities. Street culture is largely expressed through fashion, and the U1-NU is exemplary.
The U1-NU is a natural extension to Unimatic’s catalog of minimalist divers.
The case measures 40 millimeters across, while the bezel measures 41.5 millimeters. I own watches with bezel overhang (the Rado Captain Cook reissue, for example), and that feature has always translated into an easy grip and effortless twisting. The lug-to-lug span is 49 millimeters with a modest angle down to the spring bars, likely making for a versatile fit. The thickness is 13.6 millimeters, which ought to compliment a hoodie?s cuff better than a button-down?s.
A clean, minimalist profile.
The U1-NU maintains the rugged, minimalist look of other Unimatic offerings, but here we get a California Dial (mixing Roman and Arabic numerals), and a black, uni-directional bezel with an anodized aluminum insert. Both a V-weave black and a fluoroelastomer mil-strap from Unimatic are inclu...