July 30th, 2025

🚨🚨🚨STOP THE PRESSES!🚨🚨🚨Make way for the newest candidate for the wretched hive of scum & villainy! Didn’t realize I was in the market for one of these until one of these rare beauties popped up. You all know how much I love my Wolverine aka the generation one Numerozero, but wow oh wow @gruppo_ardito_watches_gaw nailed the redesign in this V2. I have to say the upgrade from stainless steel to Grade 5 titanium is a real treat. The new hands are also a killer upgrade.

I am so looking forward to delving deeper into this one! From the GAW website:

“NumeroZero has been totally redesigned to project it into the future, its line is unique, a tool born to stand out. The high constructive care typical of GAW watches throughout the watch is designed and handcrafted in Italy. The titanium used for the case is grade 5 in order to give the watch absolute lightness and strength. The glass is sapphire, the dial is black MAT, the finishes are handmade and denote a superior constructive care.”

Specs:

NumeroZero

Movement
Automatic, Sellita SW 200 no data Swiss made
26 rubins
Functions
Hour, minute, second, date
Case
Made in 3 parts obtained from solid titanium:
Fixed bezel titanium grade 5
Central body titanium grade 5
Case back engraved reference and serial numbered, titanium grade 5, finish microblasted
Lega di titanio grado 5, finitura micropallinata
Diameter: 44mm
Hight: 17mm
Weight: 110 gr
Lugs dimension: 22mm
Movement spacer make in Ergal anodized
Glass
Sapphire glass and anti-reflective coating
Dial
black dial, index with Superluminova BGW9
Hands
Sport gladio type with Superluminova BGW9
Impermeability
Over 170 bar (1.700 meters)
Strap
Caucciù made in Italy with titanium. buckle and logo GAW.

August 8th, 2025

The Gruppo Ardito NumeroZero is a killer watch. I was/am a huge fan of the generation 1 NumeroZero, which I call the Wolverine. This version, the generation 2 is a great progression for the model. The grade 5 titanium case is about as rugged as it gets. The dark grey color and the matte finish gives this watch such a menacing look. I have truly grown to love titanium. It’s become my favorite case material. There for a while, bronze and titanium were fighting for that coveted top spot! It looked like bronze was going to take the win but titanium came out victorious. I know a lot of people struggle with how light titanium feels which they equate with “cheapness”. The titanium watches that I own still have heft to them. That being said, I’ve never owned a watch that I that was too heavy, too big, etc….

Over the past few years I have become very obsessed with fixed bezels. There’s something about them that adds a bit of special magic to the overall look of the watch. From a functional perspective they add more strength to the watch because it’s one less detail for mechanical failure. A special message for the whiny little bitch boys, the original badass divers wore watches with fixed bezels, so fuck off with you crying “oh it’s not a dive watch because it doesn’t have a rotating bezel wah wah wah!”

The fixed bezel is held in place by 6 screws which are located at the 12H, 2H, 4H, 6H, 8H and 10H positions. The screw down crown at the 9H position makes this a badass Destro! Destro happens to be one of my favorite Cobra characters! I happened to just recently ordered the Mezco Destro figure. The crown is signed ‘GAW’. The oversized crown is not only aesthetically pleasing but it also functions like a dream from screwing/unscrewing, to manually winding, and to setting the time. Obviously I am a fan of the solid caseback. The engraved diver’s helmet is so rad. A detail that I completely appreciate. I also appreciate how GAW has the screws that hold the caseback down line up perfectly with the bezel screws!

August 15th, 2025

The Numerozero version 2 is an impressive piece. As I mentioned before, the case is designed incredibly well. That goes for the overall design, shape, finish and construction. GAW impressed me completely with this case and that is a somewhat of a challenge because I have experienced so many different watches over the past decades as a watch enthusiast.

The dial definitely carries over the cohesive design that I found so impressive about the case. Let’s start with the ideal backdrop, shall we? There’s nothing better than a tool watch with a matte black dial. A true tool watch isn’t fancy, doesn’t have polished or glossy details. GAW definitely started with the perfect backdrop for a tool watch dial. The large white markers are the next detail that GAW has gotten completely right in terms of what makes a real tool watch. They are large, extremely legible, in both daylight exposure and in dark environments. The superluminova BGW9 is responsible for that dark environment legibility.

The hands are the next level of this dial that encompasses everything that makes a watch a reliable tool. They are perfectly proportionate to the dial, in both length and in width. Though it’s a extremely small detail, the tip of the hour hand is something that I appreciate. The brushed finish on the three hands is not only well done but adds a great level of aesthetics to the overall look of this dial. I recently read a post of a pandemic era “influencer”. This individual said that no one even uses a watch as a tool but wears it as a piece of jewelry. This comment sums up these pandemic era influencer in the watch community. For those of us real watch enthusiasts who have passion, we use oouour watches as a tool on a daily basis our watches as tools on a daily basis!

August 22, 2025

These hands can sing and the light loves to dance across them to their sweet song! The handset is incredible on this watch. Gruppo Ardito absolutely nailed this dial design and the hands are the star of this amazing show.

I always wanted a Seiko Tuna for as long as I can remember. When I finally got one, I loved the case. The polished, shiny hands though ruined the watch for me. This watch gives me the best of both worlds, a killer case and killer handset. I said it before and I will say it again “a handset can make a watch great or completely ruin a watch” I am very nitpicky when it comes to my watches. The time and experiences that i have been through in the past almost 3 decades as a watch nerd, have taught me what works and doesn’t work. Either way, I have to experience a watch in person in order to properly nitpick.

The Gruppo Ardito Numerozero has a rugged case, a legible dial and that Italian craftsmanship….all comes together into a very special watch. I appreciate what GAW is doing. They have become a special brand who is coming up on their 10th anniversary. Their first watch was the Numerozero which you all know as my Wolverine. This version two is an example of how far the brand has come in those 10 years. I am excited to see what the future holds for Gruppo Ardito!

August 29th, 2025

There is something about no crown guards that add to the vibe of this piece. That’s one of the details I loved about the first version of the Numerozero. The cylinder shape of the case is so perfect that having crown guards would disrupt the flow of the case. I also appreciate how GAW allows you to swap out the bezels. I’d like to get a flat bezel like my V1 bezel, just so I can swap the look.

This watch is quickly climbing the ranks in the wretched hive of scum & villainy. The grade 5 titanium case, the case shape/design and dial/hands, are all perfect. If I had to nitpick something I would have had screw lug bars like V1 of the Numerozero. It was extremely difficult for me to find something to nitpick about! This is the longest I’ve left a rubber strap on a watch. I am enjoying this watch on this OEM strap. The strap and titanium buckle are both signed with GAW. I am accustomed to buckles being signed, but the strap being signed is quite a cool detail.

My collection is pretty much complete in terms of watches moving out. I don’t foresee any watches getting cut from the hive. I do have a plan for what I want to add. A few watches popped up that were added to the list. 6 watches are on my list that will be slowly added over the next few years.

September 5th, 2025

Well, well, well, would you look at that, it’s #toolwatchfriday . This watch was an impromptu purchase and has crept into my top 5 favorite dive watches of all time list. Has completely caught me off guard. As much as I appreciate @gruppo_ardito_watches_gaw first release ever, which you know as the Wolverine, this modern update version is absolutely killer. The dial and the hands are a major upgrade from the previous version. I appreciate a sandwich dial but this dial on the V2 is more my preference. These hands with the brushed finish are exactly the style of hands that I prefer on my tool. Big, bold and legible. That is exactly the theme of this dial, the legibility is so good that it doesn’t matter what type of lighting you are in.

This watch definitely gets my recommendation. They are currently sold out so if you see one pop up on the secondary market, snatch it up. They don’t show up often, as it took me a few years to track one down. This watch is a perfect addition to the wretched hive of scum and villainy!

I had the hive out and I was studying it. The whole time that I was studying, there was never a single time that I counted how many members of the hive there was. I still don’t know how many members there are. I know there was a point where I was talking about having a manageable number. As i was studying the hive, I was realizing that no matter how much time has passed since a piece was worn, my love and appreciation for that said piece didn’t fade whatsoever. It’s more about the quality than the quantity.

September 12th, 2025

It’s finally #toolwatchfriday and the titanium beast is going to be my co-pilot. This titanium badass has probably been one of the biggest surprises I have experienced. I honestly can’t remember when there has been a watch that I have purchased that caught me this off guard. I knew that @gruppo_ardito_watches_gaw made incredible watches but I didn’t expect this watch to be even better than the V1 Numerozero.

Gruppo Ardito is another example of how to successfully improve without abandoning the original DNA that made the so appealing. Ten years ago I reviewed a Christopher Ward Titanium Extreme 1000 dive watch. It is an amazing watch. I don’t even recognize Christopher Ward watches now. 10 years ago they were like Mickey Rourke in his 20’s and now they look like the Mickey Rourke that we see today. I don’t understand why brands do this. I’ve seen so many brands that do this and aren’t around anymore. I believe in progression, I don’t believe in abandoning what was amazing for something redundantly meh.

I still can’t believe that this watch is still on the rubber strap. I’m still a leather and canvas guy through and through, but I do like this watch on this strap. I still think that all you guys are full of shit when you say “rubber is cooler than leather in summer”. I dig the signed rubber and the signed titanium buckle.

September 19th, 2025

The Gruppo Ardito Numerozero ferociously came out from the jungle! This watch is so damn photogenic that narrowing down a series is impossible. I guess I could break it up into 2 separate posts but yeah here we are. This @gruppo_ardito_watches_gaw was a watch that I wanted when it came out. Unfortunately I wasn’t in a financial position to buy it at the time and then it sold out. I’ve been on the hunt for one ever since. Fast forward 3 years and I stumbled upon one for sale on the secondary market. So I pounced on it like a xenomorph on its prey. I was immediately blown away by this watch. Gruppo Ardito took what was awesome about the original V1 Numerozero and improved upon its foundation making a truly better sequel. Seriously, there aren’t many sequels that are better than the original release.

Do I still think the V1 is an amazing watch?!? Hell yeah I do! There are details on the V1 that are better than the V2. Examples of this are the V1’s screw lug bars and the 24mm lug spacing. What I think the V2 got better is the over case design, the bezel, the caseback, the dial and hands. They are both awesome watches that are different enough that owning each version makes sense.

Gruppo Ardito is a very small brand, who makes very small batches of watches. It’s one of those special brands. When you buy one of their watches you aren’t just getting watch, you welcomed into the Gruppo Ardito family. It’s a small family but a very tight knit and loving family. What makes a watch special for me is the quality, design and engineering, the name and the dial or the brand history does nothing for how the watch will handle itself on my daily adventures. The other thing that makes a watch special is the people behind the brand. They are people like myself who are extremely passionate about watches!

September 26th, 2025

This is an incredible piece from @gruppo_ardito_watches_gaw . My favorite release from them yet. It’s close to perfection for them. I haven’t personally experienced their Kraken model, but their V1 and V2 Numerozero models are pretty damn good. They both are on my top 20 favorite dive watches list. Gruppo Ardito is one of those rare treats that comes along and just blows my mind. They make extremely small batches of watches each year. One you order one, it’s almost a guarantee that they are making it for you in their shop in Italy. The movement aside, everything else is made in Italy. I absolutely adore this small Italian brand. Every Gruppo Ardito I own or have owned, I acquired from either buying it or trading for one; therefore, this isn’t a paid collaboration.

GAW is doing something special and it’s one of those watch company journeys that is inspiring to watch. It’s inspiring because it makes me excited about their past watches, current models and future releases. I’ve been a watch geek for a long time, been there done that, so when a company makes me excited about watches, it’s always brings a smile to this jaded asshole’s face!

This grade 5 titanium case is a beautiful beast to behold. The cylinder shaped case is what makes the Numerozero special and unique. What drew me to the Numerozero. The hands, the craftsmanship and the dial is what made me stay. Gruppo Ardito started in 2016 with the V1 Numerozero and it’s been pure Italian magic ever since.

October 2nd, 2025

This Italian beast of a beauty is truly something special. I appreciate its design a lot. I don’t talk about it enough but this caseback makes this watch more special for me. It takes me back to my childhood and my obsession with the deepsea. Orca whales, octopuses, giant squid, the Kraken from Clash of the Titans, Torpedo, Copperhead from Gi Joe, Merman, the Creature from the Black Lagoon…..the list goes on and on, but you get the point. I was drawn to everything that was related to the sea. Makes sense since my astrological sign is water based. The diver on the caseback triggers some great childhood memories for me.

It also makes sense that I am drawn to Italian watches since my grandparents came from Sicily. This watch hits home with me because of my childhood love of the sea, my Italian heritage and my water sign. This watch is still on the rubber strap and I have no plans of changing this. This watch just works so well on the rubber strap. I think something that helps me appreciate this strap is the titanium keepers and the titanium buckle. They add touches of detail to the strap. Rubber straps are like bracelets, they don’t have the character that leather and canvas straps have. Having titanium keepers add character to this strap, where rubber keepers would have made it characterless.

It’s all these little details on this watch that all come together in magical Italian harmony. This watch has nothing but character. It’s a watch that spends a lot of time being admired while it’s on my wrist and when I take it off my watch just to get a closer look before I throw it back on my wrist. It’s also so damn photogenic. This watch was one of those impromptu purchases. I saw it pop up for sale, I snagged it up and I couldn’t be happier!

October 10th, 2025

This watch is a testament to what I find respectable about the progress of a watch company. Improvement, forward progression but never abandoning the foundational roots. I have seen far too many companies do strange rebranding and not one of them is still around years later. I get it if sales are down and a company goes into the mindset of “we need to sell watches or we might have to close up shop.” I don’t think a rebranding to the point where the watches are such a huge departure from made the brand unique and appealing in the first place. I’ve been at this for a hot minute and can tell you that this way of thinking never has ended well for any company.

Gruppo Ardito has been on a steady and respectable journey. This Numerozero V2 is an example of Gruppo Ardito’s commitment to making “made in Italy” tool watches that have charm that Italian watchmakers can only infuse into watches. I love that GAW does very small batches of watches per model. Typically around 10 to 15 per model. It adds a specialness to their watches.

One day I would love to add one of their Kraken Kaiser watches to my collection. It’s been a GAW want of mine for years. There’s something special about the Kraken and about all the Ardito watches.