After Italian watchmaking company, Panerai relocated to Switzerland, it left behind many of the country’s most experienced craftsmen. This coincided with Federico Massacesi’s plan to formulate and grow his business plan. This merging of Panerai’s ex-team and Massacesi’s company formed the birth of Anonimo.
Branching out to Eastern and Northern European countries, the Anonimo name soon became official when it appeared visually on the surface of high end watch dials. The first Anonimo manufactured chronometer Ebauche with a Glashütte escapement was developed in 1912. Around the year of 1921, Alpina began supplying timekeeping instruments to military personnel. Pilot's watches developed with straps that would attach easily over the top of Air Force uniform were an indispensable feature for this line of work. Underpinning Anonimo's confidence in producing high quality and reliable watches, the international watch guarantee was created. Just 7 years after this the watchmaker patented its own crown which was showcased on the band’s first sports watch. Screwed down to reduce the amount of dust through its gaps, the development was a ground-breaking innovation for its time.
In 1997 the Millemetri watch was launched. It was showcased at Vicenzaoro, Italy’s premier jewellery exhibition and became the company’s first collector’s timepiece. Geared towards the tastes of military personnel, the wristwatch boasted an incredibly simple design that was easy to read the time off at a glance. Equipped with 1000 meter water resistance, it also served as a reliable companion for swimming, snorkelling, diving and water sports, setting the standards for all Anonimo watches to come.
Continuing down the line of military wristwatches, Anonimo released the Militare in 2001 with a patented crown locking system. Soon to follow were the Anonimo Nautilo and Polluce watches, which combined military use and diving facilities in one compact design, some of the models withstanding water pressures up to 2,100 meters underwater
Anonimo also made use of the bronze case in 2006 with the launch of its first bronze diving tool. Having the tendency to tarnish but never degrade, it made for the perfect wristwatch for wearing out at sea. Being exposed to saltwater would not affect the quality or performance of the watch. In fact, by developing its own patina, Anonimo focussed on its ability to grow in character with age, using this quality to promote the advantages of its Polluce Bronze watch. During this time, Anonimo was also researching, developing and improving its technologies. The case to each watch was carefully concealed and painstakingly milled from solid billets of alloys or metal to ensure quality. Strong fixtures and fittings, along with handcrafted leather straps and robust crown designs would set the company apart from its rivals during this time.
Although taken over by European investors and relocating to Switzerland, Anonimo remained independent and is now stocked in over 15 countries across the continents. Today Nautilo and Millitare watches still convey the essence of traditional watchmaking crafts born and nurtured in Florence. Anonimo watches are still classically styled and fitted with impeccable movements. The Millitare watch collection is home to some vintage models with internal railroad minute tracks and aged leather straps. Embodying their country of origin, these Anonimo watches are ideal for novice and experienced collectors alike. The Anonimo Nautilo NATO collection, as its namesake suggests, features vibrant NATO straps in colours of lime green, blue, yellow and red. These vivid and elaborately decorated material bands contrast beautifully against steel highlights seen in the rest of the design.
Looking to the future, Anomimo is as focussed and as creative as ever. Popular flagship lines are set to continue to grow, with rugged, durable designs that promise longevity on the wrists of sportsmen, professional divers and military personnel.
