Venezianico is one of those rare success stories: a brand that not only funded its first watch collection via Kickstarter, but has since developed into a business producing 14,000 pieces a year and generating sales of €2.7 million in 2021.
Venezianico was founded in 2017 by Alberto and Alessandro Morelli, two brothers who were just 26 and 23-years-old when they graduated with degrees from Ca Foscari University of Venice in economics and finance (Alberto), and marketing (Alessandro).
Without any experience whatsoever in watchmaking, they decided — reportedly over a meeting in Burger King — to launch a watch business.
Remarkably, they raised and invested start-up capital of $800,000 from three rounds on Kickstarter, and got to work making, marketing and selling their first collections.
Today, Venezianico watches are sold in over 80 countries through a network of around 100 retail partners in addition to DTC ecommerce.
The company says all of its watches have a connection back to the city of Venice.
For example, the Redentore, a range of classical two-hand watches, takes inspiration from the Basilica del Redentore, a masterpiece of the Venetian Neoclassical architecture.
The Nereide dive watch takes its name from one of the last marvels of Venetian naval technology, the Nereide submarine first made in the early 20th century.
The latest collection is the Venezianico Nereide GMT, a 38mm family in stainless steel, which was first unveiled in September, but is being sold in batches (a trick from the Kickstarter days).
The first two batches are already sold or assigned, with the next drop beginning in the new year.
Venezianico Nereide GMTs normally retail for over $500, but are currently on sale for $367.50.
For that you get a classic diver’s watch in a 39mm steel case using an automatic Seiko NH34A GMT movement.