A modern day design classic, the Manometro by Giuliano Mazzuoli is a wonderfully unusual watch with a cool and quirky personality. Inspired by the hand held analogue pressure gauges used by engineers and mechanical technicians in the pre-digital age, Manometro has a distinctly retro quality and a timeless style which really sets it apart from the masses.

Tall-sided with a rounded bezel, and the sapphire glass almost, but not quite up to its brim, the Manometro has its own unique aesthetic, and as the strap enters into openings in the side of the case, there are no lugs, so it is perfectly round, which is another unusual feature on a wristwatch.

Encased in bronze with fine brushed finish, it measures a generous 45mm and so has considerable presence on the wrist, with the crown a stout pronounced feature offset at the 2 o’clock position. Despite the size, its carefully considered design ensures that it is extremely comfortable to wear as on the underside of the strap, close to where it disappears into the case, two pairs of screws look like decorative details but in fact are part of clever little shoulders which protect the skin from pinching, as well as spacing the strap away from the case for optimal comfort.

Beneath the convex sapphire crystal, the black printed markings around the perimeter of the white dial are clearly defined, with minute indices as well as arabic numerals in the old gauge style contrasting against the bright background. The hour and minute hands are slender with an application of Super LumiNova along their length, while reminiscent of the pointer on those analogue gauges, the seconds hand is red with a luminous arrow tip.

Inside, the ever-reliable ETA 2824/2 self winding movement is concealed behind a solid caseback which is secured by eight screws, which also provides access to the strap. The high-grade Swiss movement is finished with Côtes de Genève stripes, and it can be expected to run for a minimum of forty hours, beating at a brisk 28’800 vib/h, as can be seen by the smooth sweep of the seconds hand.

First introduced in 2005 and fundamentally unchanged since then, the Manometro is a perfect example of where a simple design got it right first time. The brushed bronze case only adds to the appeal and versatility of its casual chic personality, and while it is a fun piece, Giuliano Mazzuoli have been uncompromising in using only the highest quality of materials and components throughout, making it a much loved favourite among collectors of high-end watches.