Venezianico, the Venice, Italy based watch brand, has unveiled the Calibre V5000, its first ever mechanical movement. An Italian-made movement, it is the result of over two years of research and development between Venezianico and specialised partners.
“The V5000 was born from continuous dialogue with the growing Venezianico community—years of listening and engagement transformed wishes and expectations into a clear vision of what the “ideal calibre” should be. “The dream of creating an Italian-made movement made us look further, questioning which of our timepieces could truly honour this new calibre. The answer was none—so we had to create one,” – Alberto Morelli, Venezianico’s CEO.
Image: The caseback of the Redentore Utopia, debut watch for Calibre V5000. Notice the free-sprung balance wheel with 4 small weights. Notice the interior angles on the bridges, and the Côtes de Genève and perlage, among other movement finishing aspects.
Specifications
Manually wound.
Thickness: 3.50 mm.
Jewels: 19.
Frequency: 25,200 vph or 3.5 Hz.
Power reserve: 60 hours.
Accuracy: +/- 3 seconds per day.
Calibre V5000 features the following:
High-End Inertia-Variable Balance Wheel: Calibre V5000 features a free-sprung balance wheel made in a copper-beryllium alloy by Atokalpa (owned by the Sandoz Family Foundation, who also own Parmigiani Fleurier), featuring 4 masselottes or small weights for adjustment.
Split Gear Train for Long-Term Precision: Calibre V5000 features two separate drive trains for hours / minutes and seconds.
Shock Protection: KIF Elastor.
Movement Finishing: Radial Côtes de Genève, mirror polished interior angles, selective sandblasting, hand-applied micro-perlage, and étirage axe, the latter “a traditional drawn-axis finish, highlighting the precision required to craft the most delicate elements.”
Construction: Calibre V5000 features solid bridges with chemical nickel treatment.
Design and Production: Manufactured by OISA 1937 in Italy. Proprietary design (no. 402025000000420).
“A pivotal encounter with Fausto Berizzi, technical director of OISA and a storied figure in Italian watchmaking—with past roles at Frédéric Piguet, Lemania, and Vaucher Manufacture—proved invaluable. His experience with some of Switzerland’s top manufactures was instrumental in the development of the V5000.”
Transcript from my interview with Alberto Morelli:
[Kunaal Khemka] Why the choice of a Free-Sprung Balance?
[Alberto Morelli] The free-sprung balance was chosen for its superior long-term performance. Unlike traditional systems that rely on an index regulator, this solution allows the rate to be adjusted directly through the inertia of the balance wheel—using four peripheral masselottes. This leads to better stability over time, greater resistance to shocks, and less sensitivity to positional variations. It’s a configuration commonly adopted in high-end watchmaking because it minimizes wear on the regulating system and maintains accuracy even after years of use.
[KK] Isn’t servicing a free-sprung balance more difficult—especially at scale?
[AM] That’s a fair point, and you’re right—it requires more expertise during regulation. However, all our V5000-equipped watches are assembled and regulated by senior watchmakers who are trained specifically for this. In our case, regulation is done manually via masselottes directly on the balance, and we offer full servicing support from our own facility. We’re not chasing scale; we’re chasing quality. That includes after-sales. Also, we chose this path deliberately to raise the bar internally and grow our team’s skills over time.
[KK] Why is the beat rate 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)? Typically, they are 21,600 vph (3 Hz) and 28,800 vph (4 Hz) – for simple two and three hand watches. Any specific reason 3.5 Hz was chosen?
[AM] This frequency was chosen as a deliberate balance between chronometric stability and energy efficiency. At 3.5 Hz, we reduce wear and optimize the energy flow while maintaining a good level of accuracy. It’s a sweet spot, and in our testing, it contributed to the 60-hour power reserve without sacrificing ±3 seconds/day performance. It’s not a standard frequency, and that was part of the charm for us—it reflects our intent to build something original and well thought out.
[KK] Where is the movement manufactured?
[AM] The movement is manufactured in Italy, in collaboration with OISA 1937. The development, technical design, and machining of all core components—including bridges, mainplate, and regulating elements—are carried out between our two teams. Certain critical components, such as the free-sprung balance wheel and shock protection system, are sourced from specialized partners: the balance wheel is produced by Atokalpa in Switzerland using copper-beryllium and four regulating masselottes, while the KIF Elastor® anti-shock system is supplied directly by KIF, a longstanding reference in high-end watchmaking.
Final regulation and the assembly of all V5000-equipped watches are performed in-house at our Venezianico Atelier by our senior watchmaker, Daniele Zorzetto. This structure allows us to maintain full control over quality, performance, and long-term serviceability.
[KK] Will the V5000 replace the Miyota and Sellita calibres you currently use?
[AM] Not entirely. The V5000 is a complementary project. It won’t replace our existing core lines, which serve different price segments and purposes. Our goal is not to abandon accessible watchmaking—it’s to expand upward with a consistent approach, offering more depth where it makes sense. So yes, there will be more V5000 models, but alongside the collections powered by 9039 and SW200.
[KK] Does the V5000 signal a move upmarket for Venezianico?
[AM] Yes, but it’s not about changing who we are—it’s about adding depth to what we can offer. With the V5000, we set out to create a high-end mechanical movement, designed and manufactured in Italy, while keeping the final watch under €5,000. At this level, it’s still uncommon to find watches that combine original construction, refined finishes, and artisanal components. We saw an opportunity to bring something different to the table—something that reflects our roots while raising the bar in terms of technical and creative ambition.
[KK] Are you planning to use the V5000 as a base for future complications?
[AM] Absolutely. The base architecture was designed with flexibility in mind. We’re already working on future iterations of the V5000 with added functions, but we’ll take our time to do it right. One of the things we learned during this process is that every technical choice carries long-term consequences—so we’re moving step by step.
Our Thoughts
For a brand that tells Venetian stories through its watches – Calibre V5000 is their latest Venetian story. And quite an incredible one. The sheer audacity to undertake this task is commendable.
Image: A state-of-the-art movement and its debut watch. The Redentore Utopia’s 316L stainless steel case diameter is 38 mm and thickness is 8.90 mm. Notice how the Calibre V5000 fills the case.
The Redentore Utopia – the debut model for the Calibre V5000 – is priced at Euro 3,690 and already sold out (100 pieces limited edition). Venezianico did not set out to “just develop any movement.” They set out to develop one that has state-of-the-art features – such as a free-sprung balance wheel and split gear train – typically found in watches significantly more expensive. Venezianico joins the ranks of a handful of watch brands democratising horology. The other brand attempting the same is Christopher Ward with its Bel Canto and C12 Loco models.
I look forward to upcoming Venezianico models that will utilise Calibre V5000 and cannot wait to do a hand-on-review, either of the Redentore Utopia or an upcoming model.
Please click here, here, and here to read our earlier coverage on them.
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