Anonimo Watches

Anonimo Watches

Anonimo is Italian tool-watch heritage with a Swiss passport and something to prove.

Born from the ashes of old-school Panerai, this Florence-born brand makes bold, cushion-cased divers and pilot watches with real military DNA, modern finishing

and a little chip on the shoulder — in the best way.

A Little History

When Panerai was sold to Richemont in 1997 and moved its operations from Florence to Switzerland, a group of former employees — including Dino Zei, the former

CEO of Officine Panerai — stayed behind and launched Anonimo in 1997.

The early goal? Keep the Florentine tool-watch tradition alive: big cases, legible dials, and overbuilt dive specs. Their watches were made for professionals, including

Italian Navy divers and military rescue units, with no marketing gloss — just clean utility and raw Italian cool.

In the 2010s, Anonimo eventually shifted production to Switzerland, retaining Italian design but pairing it with Swiss movements and manufacturing

— creating the modern hybrid identity the brand has today.

What Collectors Love

Anonimo watches are serious wrist presence with real history, not just vintage cosplay. Key traits include:

  • Cushion-shaped cases — often 42–44mm, with a wrist-hugging profile and strong crown guards

  • 12/04/08 dial layout — a signature of the brand, often replacing traditional 3-6-9 or 12-6-9 designs

  • Swiss automatic movements — primarily Sellita or ETA-based, often COSC-certified

  • DLC, bronze, and two-tone case options — built tough, and aged beautifully

  • Tactical and diving roots — early models made for Italian frogmen and rescue crews

Fan favorites include:

  • Nautilo — a clean, modern dive watch with crown at 4 o’clock and Italian/Swiss hybrid energy

  • Militare Chrono — bullhead layout with pushers at 12, crown at 6, and big Flieger vibes

  • Epurato — more refined, dress-casual piece with Anonimo DNA dial but slimmer case

  • Original Dino Zei era pieces — rare and cult-status among Paneristi

Why Anonimo Deserves a Spot

Because it’s one of the only brands that directly continues the Italian military watchmaking lineage, with real design integrity and build quality to match.

If you love Panerai but want something less hyped — or you want a big watch that doesn’t just copy old catalogs — Anonimo is a great alternative. It’s tactical meets lifestyle

with rugged cases, good movements, and a legit backstory.

What’s Out There Now

Anonimo’s modern catalog balances heritage designs and contemporary specs:

  • Nautilo — 42mm diver, ceramic bezel, date window, automatic movement

  • Militare Chrono — 43.4mm bullhead chronograph, crown at 6, tactical case

  • Epurato — 42mm cushion case, dressier design with sunburst dials

  • Bronze Editions — Nautilo and Militare models with patina-ready bronze cases

Expect pricing from $1,200 to $3,500 depending on model, movement, and material. Vintage Dino Zei-era pieces sometimes command more on the secondary market.

Fed’s Take

Anonimo is one of the most underrated brands in the oversized tool watch space.

I’ve seen a bunch — the Nautilo wears better than expected, the Militare Chrono is a beast, and the bronze finishes? Fantastic. The crown-at-6 on the Militare is weird in the best way.

And for guys who want that Panerai energy without the branding baggage? Anonimo nails it.

If you want a watch that feels serious, not silly — and looks tactical without screaming mall-ninja — this is it.

Check Out Our Anonimo Inventory

Delray Watch is always on the lookout for unique Anonimo watches — especially Nautilo, Militare Chrono, and bronze or Dino Zei-era models.

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