Anonimo Watches
The company was founded in Firenze,(Florence) Italy in 1997 by CEO Federico Massachesi and introduced in the U.S. at the 2001 JCK Las Vegas Jewelry Show, an annual event universally regarded as the most important Jewelry Industry show in the world. The Anonimo name was spawned by an event Massachesi attended as an executive for Salvatore Ferragamo Ltd., the prestigious Italian apparel design and manufacturing company. It seems that one of the Ferragamo brothers had a fine custom watch hand crafted for him by a local watch maker with no manufacturer name on the dial. In a conversation with one of the companies distributors, Massachesi observed the man inquiring whose watch Mr .Ferragamo was wearing. He replied "my watch" to which the man responded, "No I mean whose watch is it, like Rolex or Patek Philippe?" The response was the same, " My watch". The meaning was clear, the watch was important because it was made for him and it was significant for that reason rather than being a "brand name". It was anonymous or ANONIMO in Italian. Fine quality and design made for the individual personality.The watches are designed and assembled in Italy with highest quality Swiss made movements.
Cases
The cases are hand carved, lathe turned high quality AISI316 stainless steel with various treatments including an oxidizing process that features a deep, rich matte black finish patented by Anonimo. Other treatments include bronze, 14k yellow gold and both sandblasted and high polish stainless steel. Every model produced is a limited edition with between 100-500 pieces so when they are sold they are gone! There are 3 basic waterproof case styles that measure from 40-46mm in diameter and they are;
1) Millimetri- pressure tested to 100 ATM(1 Atmosphere is = 10.07 meters)
2) Militare- pressure tested to 12 ATM
3) Professionale- pressure tested to 200ATM(with the patented U-Lock crown guard.)
Movements
The movements are precision ETA, Val-Joux and Unitas mechanisms(all under the ETA corporate umbrella) skillfully modified by Anonimo watchmakers for features such as seconds, minutes, hours, small seconds, day, date, chronograph, moon phase all with a 42 hour power reserve.
Dials
The full spectrum of colors including gray, black, white, pale yellow ,deep blue, cherry red and orange with hour/second markers treated with Superluminova for superior day/night visibility.
Straps and Bracelets
a) A patented Kodiak calkskin leather strap specially treated to stand up to both salt and fresh water immersion for up to 24 hours.(various blacks and browns).
b) A water resistant high tech Dinex fabric with Lorica lining.(a light weight Kevlar type material.(black)
c) An NBR injected waterproof rubber strap.(black)
d) Exclusive Stainless Steel bracelets with deployment clasp.
e) Straps have either tang style or deployment clasps depending on model.
Dino Zei
This Master Watchmaker and colonel(ret. 1950- 72) in the Italian Navy is an integral part of Anonimo's design and technical team focusing on research and development to push the boundries of design and functionality. His credentials include a degree in Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, (IT.). Head of weapons and explosives section of navy commando's and munitions. Chair of Standing Committee for experimentation on war materials and Director for studies of navy commandos and divers. He was also a Director at Panerai from 1972-1999 and oversaw several restructuring projects and some extremely delicate programs involving Special Forces units of the Italian Navy.
2007- The Dino Zei line is designed for a masculine appearance with high technical functions(Thorx screws allowing expansion/contraction of cases under pressure), bronze and stainless steel made from alloy UNI5275 which belongs to a group of materials used in high mechanical resistance and anti corrosion applications such as propeller pitches and torpedo flanges. The line also features a multi time zone function(also known as world time) that represents all 24 time zones, a centerscale for day/night interpretations and a special Dino Zei logo.
Another new introduction christened, a chronograph with 20 atm water/pressure resistance, 48mm case, blue Superluminova markers, day-date @ 3:00, 12 hour subdial @ 6:00, 30 minute subdial @ 12:00 and telemetry scale up to 20km.
The highly anticipated Ladies line will debut for the 2007 holiday season.
Just In
Anonimo and Shelby Automobiles announced an exclusive arrangement to create the Anonimo Shelby mark II SE Men's watch line. The collaboration brings together two companies with similar philosophies as it relates to team work and tradition. Carroll Shelby is the international racing giant responsible for the famous Ford Mustang GT350's from the 1960's and more recently the Shelby Cobra, Shelby GT and the forthcoming Shelby GT500KR.
The watches will carry the Cobra logo along with chronograph functions, black/silver and black/gold dial combinations, multiple straps and a commemorative box featuring Shelby's signature. These will be limited to 500 pieces in each dial combination.
