It's been two Years since we last interviewed you. How have things changed for Anonimo in the last two years?
The biggest change has been demand. While we are used to selling out the limited editions that we make 100, 200, or 300 pieces of world wide, we have had a surprisingly "quasi run on the bank" of our basic models such as the Millimetri, Millitaire, and Professionale. It seems that knowledgeable collectors who either want to have these in their collection or on their arm keep picking them up. Our basic models are getting hard to come by. A compounding factor is that our watches are getting more complicated (for us) and our ability to increase production has not materialized. This year, we think we are only going to accomplish 2500 watches.
In Previous Years you had made over 3000 watches. Why the decrease?
As referenced by our 10th Anniversary campaign, we make our case, our case manufacturing process is very time consuming and can not be spead up. The time is specifically greater to make a Chronoscopio mark II, Polluce Bronze, Professionale Chronograph, or a Millitaire Drass than it is to make our more basic watches. There are very few companies that truly make their own case, especially by hand. Because this year we made so many special anniversary watches that involved complications and elaborate finishes it took all our capacity to make 2500 watches.
This Year Anonimo has come out with a new finish called the Drass Finish, or Oxpro B. Where did the name Drass originate from, and how is this process different than Oxpro?
Oxpro is an oxidation process that turns the steel that we use black. In the late 90's and the beginning of this decade, we had many requests for a black case. We always held off because PVD was our only option, and our testing showed that PVD scratches off and is almost impossible to repair. Oxpro is not 100% permanent either, but the wear of Oxpro is much more attractive. Rather than an uneven chip, Oxpro wears in a planned manner, similar to Stone Washed Jeans. Over time it forms interesting patterns into the case.
Drass is the evolution of the Ox-pro process. It is similar to Ox-pro but is more durable and a harder treatment. Our Drass watches came out of improvements we made while making our Dino Zei San Marcos last year. This watch was designed for a unit of the Italian "Marines" called the San Marcos Brigade. Because this watch would have a military application, it required a harder treatment than the original ox-pro. Through this watch, Ox-pro B, a harder surface that gave a slightly scaled back color in between black and gray as achieved. We then entered into a relationship with a sophisticated diving manufacturer called Drass Galeazzi in which we made a commemorative watch for them based on achieving a titanium colored oxpro finish. A mix between Ox-Pro and the San Marco finish. While lighter in color than the the San Marco, and more resembling titanium, we were able to retain the harder substance. In fairness to Drass, the company that was the inspiration for the finish and which has a similar color to their diving equipment, we named the new finish Drass. Drass will have a similar wear pattern to the original Ox-Pro but because it is harder, the process of change will be slower. You can see Drass in many of our anniversary models as well as the Polluce and Wayfarer Drass.
On this year's polluce bronze 10 Anni watch, you have a ship engraved on the side of the case. What exactly is that ship, and where does the name Polluce originate from?
Polluce was the ship that sank in the terranean sea in 1841. It was hauling a huge bounty of gold, silver and antiques. The two companies that you saw on the dial of our watch, CNS Diving and Marine Consultants recently partnered in a successful venture to recover the treasure of the Polluce. When we made the original Polluce watches in 2006 and 2007, we had both the CNS and Marine Consultants logos as well as the Polluce logo on the dial. For the Anniversary model, we only show the anniversary logo, and put a picture of the ship engraved on the side of the watch. The ship not only commemorates the original Polluce expedition, but also the 10 year anniversary of Anonimo.
Some Polluce Enthusiasts, are holding out for a larger Polluce. Is there a bigger case polluce in the works? When will it be released?
I could give you the answer but then I'd have to kill you! But stay tuned, but don't hold your breath. If you want a big Anonimo this year, I'd take a look at a Marlin which will come out this year.
That is the Marlin? Is it a new case?
Marlin is an answer to those watch enthusiasts who are of the bigger is better fan club. At Anonimo we are always seeking to please to please every Anonimoist, and even though Mr. Massacesi thinks that 42mm is really the standard bearer of watch size, Marlin is our answer. (which obviously I agree with because I am wearing it.).
This year for the first time since we've been a dealer you released a high polished watch called the Chronoscopio Mark II Shiny. Why the design change?
The truth of the matter is that this is something that we continually get asked for that is 180 degrees juxtaposed to the tradition of Anonimo. Anonimo watches have a tradition of a soft satinated finish that is produced by hand. After years of discussions and me begging Italy for a high gloss finish this one limited edition was born in an effort to please those Anonimists who have said I love the watch as it is but why can't I have a shiny finish. While I do not anticipate we will be making many more shiny watches in the future, the result and the response has been phenonimal to this 100 piece limited edition.
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