NumeroZero Black

Between Milan and Turin in Italy, GAW is named after Arditi, who formed the first Assault Units in the Special Forces of the Italian Army In 1917, during World War I. It established itself as a handcrafted workshop headquartered in Alessandria, a famous internationally recognised area for the historical traditions of craftsmanship of the highest level. From the likes of goldsmiths and fine jewellery, watchmaking has been part of their crafts. The brand manufactures quite a range of watches, each featuring hardwearing materials in tandem with a "bold", innovative appearance and excellent construction mechanics altogether. Let's get to know the brand a bit more before diving into our inaugural piece, which kickstarts our journey together.

Like the Swiss watch industry, where they rely on different suppliers to build their fine luxury pieces, GAW partners also come from professional experiences ranging from precision mechanical engineering to design and micro-mechanics applied to watchmaking. From a business standpoint, they also share the desire to combine their great passion and experience in founding a small business making great professional watches with superior technical and quality characteristics.

Gruppo Ardito NumeroZero Black

Proudly made in Italy—save for the reliable Swiss mechanical heart beating within—every GAW timepiece is engineered to meet the highest quality standards. Many components are crafted directly in the brand's workshop, while others are meticulously produced by master craftsmen under the constant, hands-on supervision of the GAW team. And today, the NumeroZero returns by popular demand, paying homage to the very first watch ever produced by GAW. However, this isn't a simple reissue; the model has been completely redesigned to project it into the future.

Its collection features grade 5 titanium material throughout its watch case to give the watch absolute lightness and strength. Other than the glass made from a modern sapphire, the finishes throughout the watch are handmade and denote superior construction care. All while maintaining the high constructive care typical of GAW watches.

The NumeroZero is defined by a 44mm matte "wide body" case that serves as a masterclass in industrial engineering. Its construction is strikingly transparent, held together by 12 visible Allen screws—six anchoring the bezel and six securing the solid case back. While its 17mm height and staggering 1700m water resistance are formidable, the watch is proportioned to sit with presence on the wrist, leaning into the bold, functional aesthetic of modern military tool watches.

Paying homage to the very first watch ever produced by GAW

A thoughtful detail for the "destro" enthusiast is the signature Grade 5 titanium screw-down crown, positioned at 9 o'clock. This placement is purely ergonomic, ensuring the crown won't dig into the back of the hand during active use, while further emphasizing the watch's unconventional, purpose-built character.

The engineering behind its depth rating is truly impressive. The sapphire crystal is secured by a sophisticated dual-seal system, utilizing a sub-glass O-ring and an L-shaped perimeter ring, with the bezel itself acting as a clamp to press the glass firmly against the case. Because every watch is treated as an individual project rather than a mass-market product, each piece is pressure-tested to its full 1700m limit—a claim very few independent brands can actually testify to.

Before I go any further, when GAW mentioned their watches at this almost ridiculous depth that thrashes most conventional modern dive watches today, The watches are tested one by one in their water-pressure testing machine, developed and built internally with their engineering expertise. One additional detail that GAW nailed is the inclusion of a drilled-lug hole on each side, allowing its wearer to swap out the strap with ease.

Grade 5 titanium watch case

The dial continues to channel the Italian military dive watch charm that collectors adore. Finished entirely by hand, the matte black surface reflects a level of artisanal care that sets it apart from mass-produced alternatives.

To ensure maximum legibility, the brand utilizes oversized printed hour markers paired with bold broadsword hands. Both the markers and the handset are treated with BGW9 Super-LumiNova, which provides a clean, retro aesthetic during the day and glows with sharp intensity in low-light conditions. The layout is thoughtfully balanced, with the brand logo positioned between 10 and 11 o'clock, countered perfectly by the "NUMEROZERO" text at the bottom. Protecting this meticulous work is a high-grade sapphire crystal, ensuring the dial's handmade texture and superior construction are always viewed with crystal clarity.

Powering within the 1700m watch is the Swiss Selita SW200-1 Elaboré movement. It has 26 jewels, beats at 28,800 BPH, and a power reserve of roughly 38 hours. The elaboré grade movement is used here, a step up from the typical SW200 calibre you will find on most watches. Compared to the standard grade, a Selita Elaboré movement is adjusted in three positions and has better daily accuracy. This movement has been used for many years and has proven reliable, accurate and cost-efficient during servicing. The movement is then calibrated to within specs by their watchmakers, and is tested once again in-house before shipping out of their facility. Oh, we got to mention that it does not have the extra empty "date" position since it does not have one. Kudos to GAW once again for getting all these nitty gritty details right.

Markers and handset treated with BGW9 Super-LumiNova

Sealing the movement is the well-decorated case-back sealed with 6 Allen screws. What makes this an even more unique handmade watch is the implementation of a bear paw and essential texts in Italian, engraved into the titanium case-back.

To round out the rugged appeal of the piece, Gruppo Ardito has paired the watch with a 22mm natural rubber strap, proudly made in Italy. It stays securely fastened with a matching tang buckle—crafted from titanium to maintain that lightweight yet indestructible feel on the wrist.

The NumeroZero represents a full-circle moment for Gruppo Ardito, returning by popular demand as a sophisticated evolution of the very first watch the brand ever produced. Far from a simple reissue, this latest iteration has been completely redesigned to bridge the brand's rugged heritage with a forward-looking aesthetic, maintaining the unique, purposeful lines that originally defined the GAW identity. True to the high construction standards typical of the brand, the entire timepiece is designed and produced by hand in Italy under strict expert supervision. It is a rare example of artisanal watchmaking that refuses to sacrifice its "tough-as-nails" DNA, ensuring it remains a steadfast companion built to stand the test of time.

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