The DEEP-X is the watch created by WATCH INSANITY to celebrate its 10th anniversary. A Limited Edition of just 10 pieces, entirely Made in Italy, featuring a Grade 23 titanium case, water resistance to 2,000 metres and the OISA 29-50 manufacture movement. Born from the collaboration of Italian companies, artisans and professionals, the project transformed a shared vision into a timepiece designed to tell the story of ten years of passion for watchmaking.
“There is a time for everything,” we read in the Book of Ecclesiastes: “…a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ivano Fossati sang it in one of his most moving verses: “They say there is a time for sowing and a longer one for waiting. I say there was a time we dreamed, and it had to be dreamed.” The same has been true for us at WATCH INSANITY: there is a time for telling the stories behind watches, and there is a time for making them.
“Ten years of travel, encounters, study and passion for watchmaking, we have to do something to transform this extraordinary journey into an object that is, if possible, just as extraordinary.” These were the words Jacopo Giudici shared with me when he first envisioned celebrating our first ten years in the most meaningful way possible. To be precise, the magazine was founded at the end of 2015 and went online during the first months of 2016. That is the meaning behind the quotation about there being a time for everything. And, above all, that is why the DEEP-X was born: to give shape to an experience and to wear on the wrist the time we have lived together.
The result is an authentic watch, proudly and entirely Italian, radical, with that deliberately “insane” touch that has always set us apart. Or, to quote Fossati once again, “a dream that had to be dreamed” and has now become reality.
AN ENTIRELY MADE IN ITALY PROJECT
Produced in a limited edition of just ten pieces, the DEEP-X (the Roman numeral “X” is no coincidence) takes shape as a collective project in which engineering, design and identity engage in a dialogue without hierarchies. The absence of logos on the dial reflects this philosophy, affirming that independent watchmaking does not need labels to be recognised. Likewise, its essential design language and extreme technical solutions are not decorative choices but clear statements of intent, expressing an idea of watchmaking that pushes technical boundaries while remaining rationally balanced and firmly grounded.
More than a simple timepiece, the DEEP-X is the synthesis of ten years of research and shared passion. A watch conceived to be worn and lived with, yet equally to be admired, defined by impeccable construction down to the smallest detail. After all, as Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest Italians of all time, once said: “Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail.”
There is another noteworthy detail that we have already hinted at. In fact, it is something entirely unique: the DEEP-X is proudly, completely Italian.
What exactly does that mean, and why? The answer is straightforward. Watch enthusiasts know that the modern history of the Swiss watch industry, throughout every stage of its remarkably diverse supply chain, from the design of a new model to its production, is inseparably intertwined with Italy. This project therefore pays tribute to that outstanding manufacturing ecosystem, whose roots lie in the extraordinary craftsmanship of our ancestors, from the guilds of the Middle Ages to the workshops of the Renaissance. Today, being able to present a watch that is entirely Made in Italy throughout every stage of its construction, including the movement, represents something truly exceptional, made possible by the meeting of remarkable expertise united by a shared vision and profound respect for traditional craftsmanship. Above all, every contributor has brought a part of their own soul to the project.
“IN FRONT OF” THE SCENES: IDEAS, EXPERTISE, AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
THE CASE: WATER-RESISTANT TO 2,000 METRES
The story begins with the case. It is crafted by Riccardo Paradisi, whose eponymous manufacture has redefined the concept of the ultra-water-resistant sports watch through an approach that combines technical rigour with artisanal sensitivity. His creations stem from an entirely Made in Italy production chain and from continuous research into materials, a cornerstone of his design philosophy.
For the DEEP-X, Paradisi created a grade 23 titanium case, chosen for its lightness, strength and perfect alignment with the project’s uncompromising character. Measuring 43 mm in diameter, it translates its 2,000-metre water resistance not as an exercise in excess, but as a carefully balanced combination of functionality and minimalist design. The performance is remarkable: on one hand, the grade 23 titanium case weighs just 50 grams; on the other, it even features a sapphire caseback. The secret lies in cutting-edge engineering solutions developed without compromise.
Unlike the standard production models, the DEEP-X stands out thanks to its flat sapphire crystal, sunray-finished bezel and polished bevels. Both finishing processes are carried out entirely by hand and, it is worth emphasising, executed to an extraordinary standard. The purpose is to highlight the refinement of these contrasts and the special nature of this limited edition. The same attention to detail extends to the pin buckle, also hand-finished and engraved with the DEEP-X logo.
The iconic solid aluminium ingot, an unmistakable hallmark of Paradisi’s collections, has also been reinterpreted for this project. Here, anodised and customised, it becomes not merely a container but a symbol of the radical approach that defines the DEEP-X.
THE FORGED CARBON DIAL
The aesthetic vision is the work of BludiMelo, the creative signature of Carmelo Amalfi, a designer whose solid career spans major Swiss Maisons and independent brands alike. He succeeded in translating our vision of watchmaking into a visual language capable of enhancing the material itself without overwhelming it. His work on the DEEP-X begins with the heart of the project: the forged carbon dial, a contemporary material chosen as a symbol of modernity, strength and the pure expression of aesthetic power. BludiMelo interprets it through an essential approach, allowing light and its irregular surface to bring the dial to life, deliberately leaving it free of logos and inscriptions.
The polished recessed hour markers, arranged in a continuous circular pattern, interact with the finishes of the bezel and case, creating a visual tension between crafted material and graphic precision. The sword-shaped hands and the carefully calibrated use of white Super-LumiNova ensure immediate, clean and functional legibility. There is, however, a hidden detail: one luminous marker, and only one, is blue, corresponding to the individual number of each limited-edition piece. It is a secret feature, waiting to be discovered and appreciated in darkness or low-light conditions. Meanwhile, the marker at 12 o’clock incorporates a mother-of-pearl insert inspired by the sea, echoed on the crown to enhance its subtle reflections and understated elegance. It is a design that does not seek to impress at first glance, but rather reveals itself through details that faithfully reflect the diving soul of the timepiece.
THE OISA 29-50 MANUFACTURE MOVEMENT
Choosing the manufacture calibre was fundamental in giving the project genuine technical credibility. OISA 1937 proved to be the ideal partner, representing a significant chapter in the history of Italian watchmaking. During the twentieth century, the Lombardy-based manufacture produced thousands of movements every month, and since 2021 it has resumed operations in Albuzzano, near Pavia, with the ambition of bringing high-end mechanical movement production back to Italy. Under the leadership of Benedetto Perrotta, the manufacture has embarked on a new journey built upon expertise, precision and ambition.
For the DEEP-X, the choice fell on the iconic five-bridge architecture of the 29-50 Top Calibre, an ultra-thin hand-wound movement created exclusively for WATCH INSANITY. It offers more than 60 hours of power reserve, a daily rate accuracy of ±5 seconds and finishes worthy of haute horlogerie: bas-relief decoration across the five bridges, anglage, perlage, ruthenium treatment and a sunray-finished ratchet wheel. This meticulously refined movement is not merely the mechanical heart beating inside the watch; it also stands as the ultimate guarantee of the project’s credibility and technical integrity. And just like the dial, observing this bespoke calibre through the sapphire display caseback – an exceptionally rare feature on a watch capable of reaching depths of 2,000 metres – is an act of contemplation to be savoured over time.
THE HANDCRAFTED STRAP
The strap is produced by Principe 1940, one of the leading names in Italian fine leather craftsmanship. This Milan-based family company has collaborated for decades with some of the world’s most prestigious watchmaking and high-jewellery Maisons, preserving artisanal expertise built through generations of dedication. For the DEEP-X, Principe developed a strap that interprets the concept of sporty chic through a contemporary lens. The choice of an innovative waterproof polymer with a textile-like appearance reflects the watch’s uncompromising character without sacrificing elegance. The lining, made from the same material with a smooth finish, guarantees both comfort and durability. Hand-painted edges, a semi-padded profile, a spear-shaped tip and black-on-black stitching complete a strap that accompanies the DEEP-X with discretion and coherence, confirming that even functional elements can become an integral part of its overall aesthetic language.
THE BESPOKE PACKAGING
A project like this could never be confined to conventional packaging. This is where Ondultecnica Lombarda comes into the picture. Drawing on the expertise of bespoke craftsmanship, akin to haute couture tailoring, it conceived the packaging as a natural extension of the watch itself, transforming it into a narrative experience. The dialogue between Paradisi’s solid aluminium ingot and the vertical outer box creates a perfect balance between industrial aesthetics and editorial refinement. The presentation also houses DEEP-X / THE BOOK, an integral part of the project that chronicles the journey leading to the creation of this truly special limited edition.
THE DEEP-X AT GMT GREAT MASTERS OF TIME
Finally, there is the ideal place to showcase our limited edition: GMT Great Masters of Time in Milan, one of the world’s foremost reference points for the finest selection of independent watch brands. The Corvo family has played a decisive role in the modern history of watchmaking, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. It all began in the 1970s, when Giorgio Corvo helped revive the Reverso through his remarkable vision. His son Michele was among the first to believe in the world of independent haute horlogerie, a legacy now carried forward with great success by Michele’s sons, Jacopo and Mattia.
For the DEEP-X, being displayed at GMT Great Masters of Time is not simply an honour, but the natural conclusion of a project born from independence, expertise and a shared passion. Until 31 July, enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see it up close and try it on at Via della Spiga 25, Milan. The official price is €. 5,900.
By Michele Mengoli
