Horological Meandering

Federico Massacesi of Anonimo was in Singapore to celebrate the brand's 10th anniversary. On Friday, Citimex, distributer of Anonimo in Asia, and Dickson Watch & Jewellery, Anonimo's retailer here in Singapore, hosted a lunch for collectors to meet Federico.

Federico Massacesi

Prior to starting Anonimo in Florence, or Firenze as the Italians call it, Federico was with shoe and leathergoods maker Salvatore Ferragamo. As a result of his experience in that industry, tactile feel and textures are important to him, resulting in Anonimo's outstanding casework and leather straps.

I will admit that even after the lunch I still do not like most of Anonimo's watches. I find the dials and cases overly complicated and in some cases, unnecessarily so. But I like some of their simpler models, they are very attractive, particularly for the superb casework; the bronze and Ox-Pro B "Drass" cases are my favourite. More on that in my follow-up posts to this thread.

Here are some images of the lunch at Novus restaurant inside the National Museum of Singapore.

 
 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-10-10 20:59:56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-10-12 20:51:14

As I wrote in my main post, I find many Anonimo watches unattractive because of the complex designs. But those models that I like I find very appealing, mainly due to the case quality and material that is rarely found in this price bracket.

Federico emphasised during the lunch that Anonimo is about "case, case, case"! Movements inside Anonimo are mostly ETA, with modules by Dubois Depraz, they are reliable but pedestrian movements. But Anonimo's cases are excellent, especially for their price point, and better than most of its competition, even at higher prices. Especially notable are the marine bronze and "Drass" finished cases.

Leaving aside the marketing spiel for marine bronze and how it is highly resistant and used in ship propellors, the bronze cases have a beautiful warm colour that acquires a terrific patina over time. The Gerald Genta Gefica, which I love, is the best known bronze watch, but it is in a wholly different price tier.

The Ox Pro-B "Drass" cases on the other hand are 316 steel, but have been treated resulting in a wonderful textured grey finish that looks completely different from steel or titanium or any other metal I have come across. According to Federico, the cases are first machined, not stamped, then hand-finished by polishing or sandblasting. After that the Ox Pro-B coating is applied and then the case is polished again by hand resulting in the unique grey tone. One would not expect a grey case to look or feel so interesting.

My favourites were the:

Crono Militare 10 Anni with the Ox-Pro B "Drass" case finish

Militare Automatico 10 Anni with the Ox-Pro B "Drass" case finish

The two 10th anniversary Militare watches

The Millimetri Polluce 10 Anni with black dial

Below left is the Polluce Millemetri bronze limited edition for the Japanese market, on the right is the Millimetri Polluce 10 Anni.

And this was my top pick, the Polluce 10 Anni with orange dial. I REALLY like this one. The orange dial and bronze case work very well together.

And here are some other Anonimo models that are not my cup of tea.

Professionale RM 10 Anni

TP Chrono Racing, designed for yachting

The rest of the Anonimo collection present.

And finally the watch on Federico's wrist, a yachting chronograph, the only Anonimo with a rotating bezel.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-10-10 19:28:54

The Ox-Pro B "Drass" finished cases of the Militare watches.

Hi Guys, I'm a newbie here and frm Singapore. I frequent more on WUS-Anonimo,Sinn,Glycine or Dive Forums. I'm glad to meet SJX in person at Novus. Didn't aware that U r a mod here until Massi posted a link from WUS-Anonimo. Anyway I have to thank to Citimex , Dickson and my good friend - Massi for this lunch affair.

O yes, there have been some  feedbacks on Anonimo finishing on their watch cases but why is it not so appealing ? As we know,Italy does produce some of the finest wares,artpieces,cars,marbles etc.in the world but why is it that Anonimo so different from Swiss watches cos Anonimo wants to be different from the rest ??? Swiss watches are precisely produced, from e movement to the case and the rest of the components(Most Swiss watches are mass produced). Federico actually pointed out he is not aftering the movement nor any intentions to produce in-house movement as the Swiss movement rules for many many yrs. Anonimo will produce timepieces with an exclusive experience. In fact his main focus is the CASE. Anonimo produces their own case with each unique finishing(indivdiual taste). Most of us are exposed to Swiss watchfinishing(norm) which considered the Highest Precise Standard that no one cancomplaint much.

Federico pointed out that each Anonimo pc is handcrafted and will be different from each other. No piece will be the same including Drass finishing and someone(do not wish to quote names unless permission granted) from the lunch had actually sees the same view as Federico which I had in mind when I bought mine too. Federico quoted that Making each Anonimo timepiece is an experience like drawing a painting with passion. Example quoted from Federico: Take a picture with your best lens on your camera now and then, try drawing the same picture captured with your best pencil that u can find. It's the Passion in one to produce the artwork and maintaining the standard throughout. Only a dozen of Anonimo staff are working on the timepieces and probably a max. of 3000per yr is produced. He has no intention to raise the output no. yet and will maintain at current.

Personally,I as an Anonimo fan will relate to u all that owning an Anonimo is like buying an Italian Artpiece. I had this experience when I considered my Dino Zei Nemo. It's affordable and definitely exclusive in its collection. No art piece is the same and it's all up to Individual taste. Would u guys like to own a Statue of David ??? Do u guys think that it's the most perfect creation created by michelangelo? If it's handcrafted, there's no perfection. Humans perceive  and will try to achieve as close as to PERFECTION. Just my 2cts... ... (",)

Btw, I am not related to Citimex,Dickson,Federico nor Anonimo S.p.A. I'm just a anonymous watch lover from Singapore.

  

 

This message has been edited by kermit e froggy on 2008-10-12 21:31:51

Long before the black and red combo of some of the F1 inspired models of late, the Anonimo Militare Chrono with the Ox-Pro finish







I particularly like their older range as the dials were less colorful .



Cheers

Noel

And excellent photographs too!

- SJX

That was actually my 3rd Anonimo, I started with the Professionale , then a non Ox-Pro Militare Chrono, and finally this one.

Cheers

Noel

I love it. Thanks for sharing.
Massi

and I agree with you on the dials, that's what stopping me from getting one. The cases that Anonimo do are interesting, with the OX-Pro being the more attractive. Had the chance to handle the LE Polluce Millemetric with the Firenze city logo for the Japanese market, wish the dials were as clean as this. I'm not too sure about the orange dial, a bit too bright for me. I would have prefer the white dial 10 Anni on the bronze but that's not a reality.

If Anonimo decide to do a all bronze case and dial or bronze dial with OX-Pro case, that would interest me dearly. Like the fact that the straps are Kodiak processed to maintain its water resistance. Did Dino Zei come too?

Jia Xian, thanks for the post.

Lionel

I always find it very constructive to talk to you about watches and reading your posts. Your photos give more justice to these watches than the "official" ones.

Yes the orange dial looks great with the bronze case. I also believe a blue dial would do. And if I may add, the straps are extremely comfortable to wear. Just don't look at the time so you won't be distracted by their  busy dials!!!!

Many thanks to Kelvin for setting this up. It is not easy to have the management of Anonimo involved in these activities.

Massi

It was worth taking a closer look at Anonimo.

- SJX

Thks for sharing

Thanks for sharing with us.

Best.

Emilio

I was never a fan of the Anomino watches when they first came out because, in general, their dial designs weren't to my liking as well as the positioning of the crowns.  I haven't seen any of the new Anomino watches in person yet, but I hope they have improved their quality.

- AT

No message body

other pics ?