Introducing: The Venezianico Redentore Utopia — A Huge Step Forward
Admittedly, when Venezianico first hit the scene several years ago, we were skeptical. Was this another fly-by-night brand that would soon disappear into the ether? To our positive surprise, the Italian brand has created some fantastic watches since that time. Today, though, everything changes with the new Redentore Utopia.
Late last year, we met with Venezianico in London. The watches, such as the Arsenale, were even better in person than in photos. Fine details, great bracelets, and clean designs impress, especially considering the price point. The Venice-based company isn’t resting on its laurels, though. We learned of the Venezianico’s audacious desire to create an Italian movement and place it into a watch with handcrafted details. The new Redentore Utopia is the product of this mission, and it looks like a stunner.
The Venezianico Redentore Utopia
At its heart, the Redentore Utopia is a relatively straightforward 38mm by 44.2mm watch with a pleasingly slim 8.9mm profile. The round 316L stainless steel case gives off dressy vibes with its mix of polished and brushed surfaces. However, stopping here would drastically underserve this piece.
A caliber designed and made in Italy, the V5000
We normally don’t jump directly to the movement, but it is the impetus behind the Redentore Utopia. Venezianico wanted to create an Italian-designed and produced caliber. The brand worked with Fausto Berizzi, a long-time watchmaker at OISA 1937 in Biella, Italy. After more than two years of development, the V5000 is here, and it boasts some impressive characteristics. The manual-winding movement has a frequency of 25,200vph, a power reserve of 60 hours, and a daily accuracy of ±3 seconds.
A flurry of details
Venezianico worked with OISA to create a movement with some interesting features. First, its beryllium copper balance wheel has four masselottes for fine adjustment, a feature normally reserved for expensive movements. Next, the caliber has a split gear train, separating the seconds from the hour and minute functions, which reduces wear over time. Finally, it has a KIF Elastor system for shock protection.
Regarding finishing, each V5000 in the Redentore Utopia contains radial Côtes de Genève, which glistens in the light through the case back’s sapphire display. There’s also hand-applied micro-perlage on the mainplate near the balance wheel.
The Redentore Utopia is also a pretty face
Venezianico considered using an existing model for the V5000 movement but quickly dismissed the idea and decided to create an entirely new design. The Redentore Utopia is a dressy watch, yet it’s anything but boring. A blue-green guilloché dial dominates the overall look. Indeed, the only other details are a similarly colored outer track with polished metal indexes, an applied logo atop the guilloché, and three central hands.
Speaking of the dial, the guilloché pattern is manually applied by Riccardo Renzetti with a rose engine lathe from 1850. After the painstaking engraving is finished, the dial receives its blue-green ion plating. The result is a beautifully simple design that should work well in most environments.
The finishing touch — a handmade strap
Venezianico wasn’t content to pair the Redentore Utopia with a basic strap. After all, Italy is known for its leather goods. The brand turned to Gian Pietro Failli of Tuscany for a handmade leather strap in a dial-matching tone. While so many watches come with forgettable straps, this looks lovely. A stainless steel pin buckle completes the package.
Final thoughts and availability
The new Venezianico Redentore Utopia may be viewed as an audacious move, and perhaps that’s why it is limited to 100 numbered pieces. However, from our meetings with the founders and for those who have visited the flagship boutique near Venice, it’s clear that the brand intends to continue to raise its profile. At €4,500, this release is the company’s most expensive offering to date. Considering the amount of thought that went into the piece, I don’t think the price is inappropriate. The design is clean and elegant, and the new movement is impressive. This represents a huge step forward for Venezianico, and we’re very curious to hear your thoughts.
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