Sean: I’d better to make a statement: Despite being a dyed-in-the-wool superhero fan, I never liked batman that much as a kid.. Besides the excellent animated series with Mark Hamill’s iconic Joker performance, I was a Marvel kid, far more involved in the struggles of Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the Incredible Hulk than anything happens in Gotham city. Like many people, however, my mind changed with the release of the Christopher Nolan films. This darker, more realistic version of Bruce Wayne’s world came right around the same time I began my journey as a replica watch collector, so the opportunity to explore them was an interesting experience.
Right off the bat, it’s clear to see Undone has drawn from a variety of sources for the limited-edition Undone x Batman series, which should appeal to all fans of Bruce Wayne’s 80-year-old history. The Caped Crusader is certain the bolder of the two, with his playful and daring designs combining the best of the wild and quirky ’60s years with the punchy, dark color palette of Tim Burton’s 1989 film. The dark knight, on the other hand, takes a more modern approach. The reserved, gray and black look wouldn’t feel too out of place in the Christopher Nolan trilogy, or in Frank Miller’s grittier takes on the character. However, the real question is, what is the Undone x Batman collection like to live with? How does it head up in the real world?
Without introducing all the Gotham’s set decor, the basic design of the two timepieces has much to admire. The semi-cushion shape of the 40mm titanium cases is straight out of the classic ’60s Heuer Camaro, but with a darker, lighter metal texture that makes it something of an animal of its own. It’s more purposeful, modern, and tactical, rather than going entirely into the realm of militarism. That said, that 40mm size is deceptive. Part of what gave this shape its charm in its original incarnation was the diminutive 37mm diameter, which makes it compact and manageable on the wrist. This wears like a square overall shell at 40mm, resulting in the piece taking up a large amount of real estate on the wrist. It’s not quite overwhelming for my 7-inch wrist, but as a buyer, it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
The case further differentiates itself around back with an extensive display window. These are nothing new in this day and age as brands look to show off the artistry of their movement designs, the Undone X Batman series stands out because it’s a quartz hybrid sport designed by the Seiko VK64 meca-quartz hybrid movement. Outside of Grand Seiko, the display back for a quartz movement is basically unheard of, and it would be dishonest to call this particular movement decorative. It’s a left-field design decision that shouldn’t work at all but somehow ends up endearing. There is a sense of confidence here: For the price, no buyer would expect a mechanical chronograph, anyway, so why not embrace what this watch is? Besides, just because there is no moving balance wheel to watch doesn’t mean the VK64 lacks visual interest. Around the edges of the movement and through the cracks in the plates, the actuating of the pushers and the participate of the chronograph are easily to spot and add some offbeat visual charm.
The choice of straps on these two watches reflects this philosophy, with the Caped Crusader receiving a matching black and yellow Cordura strap that doesn’t look out of place as part of Batman’s own costume. The dark knight, on the other hand, is more boardroom appropriate on slate-gray alligator-patterned leather.
The Batman name has been associated with theme several dark replica watches for many years, especially the Rolex GMT Master II, with a blue and black ceramic bezel, named by collectors, not the company, and the Romain Jerome licensed Batman-themed watch (a limited edition that missed a lot of Batman fans). How did batman’s image and mythology last for so many generations? Batman’s greatest contribution to the superheros comes from the fact that he’s not superhero. Well, he’s super-rich, a super celebrity, in super shape and has the ability defy aging and is a genius, but besides that, he’s just like the rest of us, right? Like Bond, he’s flesh and blood, not powered by a spider bite, genetic mutation or lightning. So, in a sense, he could be any one of us, completing Joseph Campbell’s heroic journey in endless pursuit.
Undone celebrates arguably two landmark periods in Batman’s development arc: the 1960 bright, loud, pow, pop, bang, ziff, whoosh period and the much more calmer and monotone rebirth that Frank Miller has written about in today’s classic Dark Knight series. It’s the latter bookend that’s probably most familiar to Undone wearers; however, for Millennial crowd, everything old is new, and the glories of the ’60s series will no doubt be “discovered”. (I’d add bell bottoms, macramé and decoupage to that list, as well.)
Undone treatment is wrapped around the company’s first-ever all-grade-II titanium vintage Heuer-style cushion-shaped case, with beautiful domed Speedmaster type crystals, surrounded by a combination of pushing subtle tachometer scales around the dial. Next to rose gold titanium is my favorite shell material. It’s a great travel option and conveys “tool” sensibility without the feeling of cheap polymers or plastics. The shell measures in at 40mm in diameter (43mm, including crown) and 48mm lug-to-lug length. Both fake rolex watches are powered by the Seiko Caliber VK64, a hybrid mecha-quartz movement derived from the pioneering work of Frédéric Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre in the mid-late 1980’s, designed to inject a mechanical feel into the quartz chronograph.
