Since its founding in 2014, UNDONE has made a name for itself by offering personalized and custom watches, many of which feature vibrant colors and playful designs. The brand's idea is very interesting; it's a breath of fresh air in a hobby that can sometimes feel somewhat exclusive or intimidating for newcomers and outsiders. Much of Undone's collection consists of models inspired by some of our favorite cartoon and comic book heroes, such as Popeye, Snoopy, and Astro Boy. The latest Undone watch, inspired by characters - the Dark Knight Retrospective - is already the third release of Batman-themed watches, following the Batman 80th Anniversary Collection released in 2019, and Quantum Batman released in 2020.
The Dark Knight Retrospective model is a worthy choice for both watch collectors and Batman fans. Its design features traits of the 1960s Batmobile. The modified black Ford Lincoln Futura, the 60s Batmobile had a sleek, stealthy look, highlighted by red accents. The watch accurately captures the spirit of this vehicle: a 42mm stainless steel case with black DLC coating and red accents on the dial and crown - a thoughtful nod to the Batmobile's crimson stripes. The curved anti-reflective glass mimics the Batmobile's bulletproof windshield, and the black aluminum chapter ring echoes the look of tire treads.
Those familiar with the 60s Batmobile might remember the "Detect-A-Scope" located on the car's dashboard - a red radar that Batman used to monitor his enemies' movements. The Dark Knight Retrospective's design replicates the "Detect-A-Scope": bright red crosshairs and embossed indexes, as well as an openwork dial beneath which lies a skeletonized mechanism. Overall, the domed glass, applied markers, and translucent dial surface create a dynamic yet streamlined appearance. They also carry the energy of something the Dark Knight himself might wear on his wrist.
If UNDONE's first two Batman-themed releases - Batman 80th Anniversary Collection and Quantum Batman - were inspired by Batman's dual personality and his formidable gadgets respectively, then the Dark Knight Retrospective draws its thematic inspiration from the battle of good versus evil, or darkness versus light. More precisely, it is inspired by the struggle between Batman and one of his most famous adversaries - the Riddler!
As fans know, the Riddler prides himself on including intricate riddles in his nefarious plans. The Retrospective watch's dial is marked by the Riddler's signature question marks, which glow a bright green in the dark. This symbolizes that night has fallen, and the Riddler has come out to play. This is a particularly interesting use of luminescent material, enhancing the design while also serving as a thoughtful nod to fans of the comic series.
Under the hood of the Dark Knight Retrospective is Seiko's NH72 caliber, an automatic movement with ruthenium plating that beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and has a 42-hour power reserve. The movement is visible through a tinted transparent case back, adorned with a red silhouette of the Batman logo. This is another pleasing design touch and a fitting choice for this watch, considering its reliability and affordability compared to other widely used skeletonized movements.
The fun, meticulously designed Dark Knight Retrospective model dedicated to the Caped Crusader is suitable for both watch collectors and comic book fans.
The watch will be released in a limited edition of 999 pieces priced at just $499 USD.