Here’s a name you should know about: Venezianico. Sure, there are no prizes for guessing it is Italian in origin and arguably, Italy isn’t the first place one would associate with fine watchmaking. Except, the two co-founding brothers, Alberto and Alessandro Morelli, are currently in pursuit of challenging that status quo by introducing a new collection that’s designed alongside a homegrown movement maker. Doesn’t that sound promising? Absolutely. 

The team is keeping a tight lip on further details at the moment, though having seen the potential designs that Alberto gracefully shared with us at Revolution, let’s just say that it’s absolutely refreshing to see something new from this side of the continent. Alberto Morelli founded the company together with his brother, Alessandro, while they were still students at Ca’Foscari University. Their romanticism of the city that they grew up in just outside of Venice — home to human ingenuity and artistic splendor, its labyrinth of narrow canals, and architecture that reflects Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance styles — attributed to their discovery of Venezianico.

You see, it was apparently on a stroll through the city of San Donà di Piave’s aged cobblestone streets that they spotted the golden cross atop the Clock Tower on St. Mark’s Square. Curious about its significance, they discovered that the cross was a symbol of the passage of time in the city. Cue eureka, the brothers adopted this revelation as their emblem. Alberto explains that the name is a portmanteau of “Veneziano” (meaning “of Venice”, “from Venice”, or “the Venetian”) and “-ico”, a suffix from Latin etymology to simply imply a being of. 

Through three successful Kickstarter campaigns, they raised and invested $800,000 in start-up capital. Today, Venezianico watches are sold worldwide with presence in four continents, where distribution encompasses over 100 retail partners alongside their e-commerce platform.

Their atelier found its home within the Baradel Palace, a neoclassical site built in the early 1900s, located 30 km from Venice. Coming from their initial collections that featured entry-level watches that ran on Sellita and Seiko movements, their watches currently comprise three main collections — Bucintoro, Redentore, and Nereide, the latter an expansion of its sportier models comprising GMT and dive watches, of which Alberto distinguishes as the brand’s flagship product; the Ultraleggero in the Nereide series offers open-worked dial in the same sporty category. They’ve also ran multiple series of limited editions, spanning country and material-exclusives.

Now the young brand, which started in 2017, is on a mission to make Italian watchmaking great again. Propelled by the development of a new and “serious” collection that underscores the Italian identity, CEO Alberto Morelli shares more.

Your atelier is housed in the historic Baradel Palace. What do you hope to communicate what a Venezianico watch is all about? 

We aim for each watch to reflect the architectural elegance and historical depth of its surroundings, offering a piece of our heritage in every design. This setting, within the grand structure along Corso Silvio Trentin, allows visitors to connect directly with our roots and the meticulous care we put into every timepiece. It’s especially important as it provides a place where we can meet our collectors daily, many of whom travel great distances. This interaction is invaluable, directly influencing the evolution of our designs and ensuring our creations meet the desires of watch enthusiasts worldwide.

What are your clients currently looking for? Describe the Venezianico wearer/collector. 

Venezianico wearers and collectors are individuals who value the blend of craftsmanship and the legacy of our regional heritage. They seek watches that are not merely tools for telling time but are expressions of artistic mastery and local cultural depth. Our collectors appreciate precision, uniqueness, and the narrative each piece carries, seeing them as symbols of their own identity and a reflection of their commitment to preserving and celebrating the values and artistic heritage deeply rooted in our region.

You’ve started working with OISA 1937 on developing your own manufactured movement, which will be named the Caliber V5000. What challenges do you anticipate in scaling this project?

Creating a movement in our country has always been a dream for Alessandro and I since day one. The excitement of crafting our own caliber is immense, yet it introduces the challenge of ensuring that our teams work in harmony, continuously seeking the balance between beauty and efficiency. This project, our first of such a complex nature, carries substantial risks as it’s the first time an Italian brand has undertaken such a venture. Yet, this very challenge fuels our commitment and inspires us to forge ahead with innovation and determination.

Why is the Italian identity so important? What does this sense of patriotism mean to each of you?

Our Italian identity is at the heart of everything we do, grounding us in our heritage and our region. Through our watches, we aim to share the rich history and beauty of our homeland with the world. The unwavering support and belief of our fellow Italians inspire us to pour our hearts into every creation. This deep connection fuels our dream of becoming a guiding light for independent Italian watchmaking, showing that Italy can express the same craftsmanship and creativity in watchmaking as it does in other fields.

How do you see the future of Italian watchmaking evolving? What will it be championed for?

Since our inception in 2017, many microbrands have emerged in Italy. This is a golden era for Italian watchmaking, with the rise of e-commerce and social media giving creative and brilliant minds the platform to showcase their work and gain global recognition. I believe that in the coming years, a strong independent watchmaking movement will develop in Italy. Our country already possesses immense expertise in craftsmanship and micromechanics, creating a fertile ground for the growth of these brands and the potential to produce high-end watches.

Tell us about your personal watch collections. How did it evolve and what kind of timepieces are you drawn towards now? 

Our passion for watches began in childhood when our grandfather showed us his collection of mechanical timepieces, mostly dress models from the 60s and 70s by Longines, Omega, and Tissot. I vividly remember him insisting that we wear them, despite their value. This sparked my interest, and I started forming my own small collection. I never bought other watches because those had a value beyond the material. It was only when my brother and I created our own watch that I began wearing something new.

If there’s one aspect of the watchmaking industry that can be improved on, what would you like to see more of? 

The gaps left by top brands have created opportunities for emerging entities like ours. Direct communication, listening to the community, and involving collectors in the creative process are aspects that independent brands have embraced, thanks to the rise of e-commerce. This shift, once an exception, is becoming a new paradigm.