I have been into watches for roughly 45 years. One of my first watches was a Rolex Precision from 1956 which I bought on a flea market in Mainz. And I was already lost.
Fortunately I have had the outmost pleasure and opportunity to handle quite a lot of watches over the years. Sometimes I thought that I have seen and experienced everything. And out of a sudden something comes along that is a new experience, something that I haven’t seen in person before.
My acquaintance with Viribus Unitis was similar. I discovered something new.
For the first time I stumbled upon Viribus Unitis Watches at the 2023 „Presse.Schau“, in Vienna. The „Presse.SCHAU“ is a two day lifestyle show with five worlds of experience in watches and jewelry, design, crafts, travel and mobility on more than 5,000 square meters.
In a relaxed atmosphere, visitors get to know the finest watch models, the most modern interior designs, the most tempting travel destinations and dream vehicles. The exhibition stand of Virubis Unitis was located in the immediate vicinity of Damasko/Findeisen/Äonic and Norqain in the middle of the “Watch Island” at the Vienna trade fair. So I couldn’t miss the new to me brand.
It took about 1 year and I met Viribus Unitis again at the Micro Praha in Prague.
The Micro Praha Festival is a free 2-day event for watch enthusiasts and was hosted
in Prague Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2024 by my friends Bhanu Chopra (@analogdisplay) and Ondra Vislocki (@tempusx).
I had a lot of time to talk to Thomas Hiden,, about watches in general and his watches in particular. Thomas Hiden is the inspirational creator, driving force and owner of Viribus Unitis Watches. He is a very down-to-earth, thoughtful and friendly person. Located deep in the Vienna Forest in Austria, the family run company produces truly inspirational designs based on the historical theme of Austro-Hungarian WWI flying aces.
The name “Viribus Unitis” comes from Latin and means “with combined forces”. This theme is reflected in the brand which combines tradition and innovation to create unique timepieces. Viribus Unitis was also the name of a battleship: The SMS Viribus Unitis sailed under the Austro-Hungarian flag from 1911 until it was sunk in 1918.2
Viribis Unitis watches are made of various materials such as stainless steel, bronze, titanium, carbon, all featuring sapphire crystals.
Currently Viribus Unitis consist of three collections:
„Aus der Luft“ (Airborne)
„Land“ (Land bound)
„Land Sondermodelle“ (Land bound special editions)
A new model is in the pipeline – „Wasser“ (Seaborne), planned for the end of 2025.
Being a flieger watch enthusiast I was especially fascinated by the „Aus der Luft“ models.
I was particularly impressed by the unique, quite unusual design and the way the watch dials are designed and their unusual mix of colors. Here, too, the watches’ individuality is underlined. And there’s a reason for that. Regarding his „Aus der Luft” series, Thomas Hiden combines classic, sporty watch cases with design elements linking to the history of military aviation in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
The colors of individual, outstanding aircrafts are the inspiration for the design of the dials. The watches are also named after the aircraft identification of their respective sponsors.
To take the historical background even more into account the solid stainless steel back of each watch is engraved with the respective reference aircraft. So with whatever watch you’get from Viribus Unitis , the „Aus der Luft“ models feature a uniquely engraved back.
Models available are
• A11 (stainless steel, blue-black dial)
• 53.29 (stainless steel, green-black)
• 153.52 (stainless steel case, black-red dial)
• W29 (Stainless steel case, grey-black dial)
• GD14 (Bronze case, black dial)
• 253.24 (Bronze case, orange dial)
• 153.47 (Bronze, blue-green dial)
• L47 (Bronze case, brown dial)
All dials, without exception are excellent crafted sandwich dials.
For the stainless steel models there are a variety of stainless steel bracelets (6) available. In addition Viribus Unitis offers NATO straps, leather straps and rubber straps in matching colors. Unique handmade leather straps are made by the Austrian strap manufacturer Roman Jandal.
All watches are securely stored in a large robust water- and dust-proof plastic travel case, 26x22x12cm.I nside there are three compartments for papers, the watch and straps.
As agreed with Thomas at Prague’s Micropraha watch fair, he recently sent me a small selection of his „Aus der Luft“ models, A11, 253-24 and 53.29……
„Wer die Wahl hat hat die Qual“ (German saying, „Who has the choice is spoiled for choice“) …but finally I decided to keep the Viribus Unitis 253.24. Why’s that?
I can’t hide that I have a preference for the color orange and this undoubtedly influenced my decision, so that’s why.
The Viribus Unitis 253.24 was named after the German aircraft Albatros III-D.
Since the technical characteristics of all „Aus der Luft” model are almost identical, apart from the case material, I will limit my review to the 253.24.
Technical specs
Case
Bronze, diameter 40mm, height 13,4mm, lug to lug 45mm, lug width 22mm, weight 170g, drilled lugs, solid stainless steel back (316L), screw down crown with anchor logo , rated water resistant up to 200m (670 ft)
Bezel
Sapphire, bi-directional
Dial
Sandwich dial, hands and numerals Super Luminova coated
Crystal
Sapphire crystal, ar-coated (inside only)
Movement
STP 1-11, 11½ lignes = 25,6mm, 26 jewels, 28,000 bp/h, hacking
Straps
22mm, NATO strap with bronze hardware, ostrich leather strap with bronze pin buckle, rubber strap with bronze pin buckle
Like the ETA 2824, the cal. STP1-11 measures 25.6 mm in diameter. Somehow a 2824 clone though. However, STP uses a longer, flatter mainspring, which allows it to increase the power reserve to 44 hours, six hours more than the ETA 2824. It is also equipped with 26 jewels, one more than the ETA. The additional jewel supports the upper part of the barrel spindle. The STP1-11 is adjusted to 5 positions and is nicely finished with Geneva stripes.
Let’s now take a closer look at some details.
As already mentioned the Viribus Unitis 253.24 was named after the Albatros III-D aircraft which is engraved on the stainless steel back.
The bronze case is very finely crafted, on the left side you can find the brand’s logo on a screwed in and polished bronze plate.
The curved tapered drilled lugs allow the 253.24 to hug the wrist nicely.
Thomas created some pretty nice depth to the sandwich style dial, it is well proportioned. The orange color is radiant, as you can see it gets darker to the edge.
The hands are made from bronze, filled with Superluminova.
At 12 you’ll find the Flieger triangle with two dots. no doubt though, we are talking about a pilot’s watch which stands out pleasantly from others
The lume glows nicely in green and lasts throughout the night.
The two arrows at “9” o’clock are an element from measuring instruments for calculating vertical speed, the so-called variometer (vertical speed indicator). The +18,044 ft (feet) stand for the so-called service ceiling of the ALBATROS D.III, the -670 ft for the water resistance of the bronze model (670 feet = approx. 200 m). This is just one of the nice, cool and unique details.
At the 6 o’clock position we find the imprint „Automatischer Zeitmesser“ („Automatic timepiece“) instead of the all too familiar „Automatic“, mostly in combination with the information about water resistance in feet (ft) or meters (m).
Viribus Unitis decided to go their own way, another nice little hint of being distinct.
The seconds hand moves leisurely in circles, at the end you will find a rather delicate Viribus Unitis logo, the tip with an equally delicate triangle also pays tribute to this delicacy.
The minute hand is long enough, it hits the minute track perfectly. The hour hand is relatively short, but its shape warrants an easy read during the day and night.
The bezel is bi-directional, with bronze inlays on black (sapphire crystal) is another gimmick.
My 253.24 came with three straps, orange rubber, orange-white-orange Nato and an orange ostrich leather strap which is my favored strap. This ostrich strap is unique in terms of both, structure and color. The colors of the threads used are also worth noting: red-white-red (the colors of the Austrian flag), and black-yellow. The black and yellow colors derived from the old imperial coat of arms – a black (double-headed) eagle in gold – were the colors of the essentially non-existent “unified state” of the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy. Red and yellow were also the colors of the „empire“ and therefore placed in front of the parliament, the location of the „Reichsrat“ (Imperial Council).
The bronze pin buckle, made from a solid one-piece, gives each strap the necessary hold. Here too, the engraving “Viribus Unitis” can be found.
Is the 252.24 a real Flieger ? No, in terms of Baumuster A and Baumuster B watches it is not. However, Viribus Unitis combines classy, yet sporty watch cases with design elements of the past. Imho Viribus Unitis has succeeded in combining “old” and “new” elements in an unusual, cheeky, clever and colorful way.
The Viribus Unitis „Aus der Luft“ models cheerfully offer extraordinary watches for people who have a flair for the special. And – no doubt – special they are. As they are, they polarize, but anyone who gets involved with Viribus Unitis will not be disappointed. However, a love for color is a basic requirement here. It is the sum of the loving details that makes this watch so charming.
Conclusions and final thoughts
The price of € 1,800 seems ambitious, but Unitis Viribus watches are not mass-produced products. I think that the pricing isn’t that crazy, the price is rather appropriate for what you will get. It’s rare to find a watch that is truly unlike any other.
If you are looking for a special Flieger themed watch that is away from the mainstream, well designed with excellent fit and finish don’t look any further. You found it. Even if you’re a fan of colors, you’re also in good hands with Viribus Unitis.
I highly recommend the „Aus der Luft“ models for like-minded people looking for something out of the ordinary.
Wearing a watch should also be fun and that is what you get with Viribus Unitis.