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Exploring U-Boat Watches

Jewellery & Watch News

Just like their country of origin, U-Boat watches are renowned for captivating anyone lucky enough to witness them with their statement sized cases, large crowns on the left hand side of the case and breathtakingly intricate dials. They stand apart from most ordinary luxury watches with uncluttered designs not fussed by over the top complications but with a focus on high quality manufacturing and conveying a sense of discerning taste, confidence and power.

The U-Boat brand has a fascinating story which begins in 1942 when Ilvo Fontana, a talented craftsman of precision engineering instruments, received commission from the Italian Navy to design and engineer a watch for its Navy pilots. The watch had to follow a set of very precise technical specifications while also guaranteeing maximum reliability and readability in any light or weather conditions. However, due to circumstances of the times, the project never materialised. In 2000, Iivo’s grandson Italo Fontana, came across these designs and decided to use them as inspiration for the first ever U-Boat watch. 

Since that day, Italo Fontana has designed every single U-Boat watch released to market, giving them an instantly recognisable personality that can be seen from yards away. Every U-Boat watch also continues to be designed and made in Italy within the brand’s headquarters in Lucca, Tuscany. With Swiss made movements and unique techniques and materials at their core, U-Boat watches are not to be ignored. Let’s take a look at all the latest U-Boat watch collections in more detail…

U-Boat Chimera Watches

The U-Boat Chimera watch collection is suitably named after the fire-breathing hybrid creature of Greek mythology composed of the parts of more then one animal. These watches are beautifully constructed using a variety of different materials from mother of pearl and bronze to titanium and laser cut fine wire.

Another distinguishing feature of the U-Boat Chimera watches are their cases fitted with a distinguishing crown cap and pushers on the left hand side for easy handling. The cases are also locked together by external tubing on the bezel and case back to ensure total waterproofing. We absolutely love the U-Boat Chimera Net watches which showcase a skeletonised dial with four superimposed levels. The last layer is intricately crafted from laser cut fine stainless steel wire mesh which shows off the intricate mechanical movement beneath it.

Shop the U-Boat Chimera watch collections.

U-Boat Classico Watches

Their most iconic model, the U-Boat Classico watch represents Italo Fontana’s idea of pure, timeless design that will never fade like normal passing fashions. These striking instruments continue to boast the distinguishable left hand crown placement and characteristic U-Boat crown guard but instead provide a range of much more classic-looking dial designs compared to the U-Boat Chimera.

The U-Boat Classic watch collection recently welcomed a new addition known as the U-Boat Classico Sommerso which represented Italo Fontana’s own dedicated passion for diving. Although most U-Boat watches are already designed to withstand the rigorous demands of deep sea diving, the Classico Sommerso features a new statement bezel with a 60 minute scale and unidirectional turning functionality for ultimate assistance underwater.

Shop the U-Boat Classico watch collection.

U-Boat U-42 Watches

The U-Boat U-42 watch collection features some of the brand’s most unique and daring pieces. One of its most notable designs it the U-Boat U-42 Unicum designed by Italo Fontana himself and engineered from lightweight titanium with an IP black coating. The bold instrument is completely handcrafted and treated by Italian artisans to ensure every limited edition piece is one of a kind while the skull decorated on the naturally aged bronze dial is there to portray the brand’s rebellious nature.

For a more classic aesthetic, the U-Boat U-42 GMT watch showcases a clean dial with fantastic functionality including hour, minute and seconds, a 24 hour hand, a third time zone and a date window. The unidirectional rotating bezel is almost unmissable for its titanium construction, lockable lever and 12 o’ clock ball indicator made from scratch resistant ceramic. This timepiece is perfect for continent hoppers that want to make a statement.

Shop the U-Boat U-42 watch collection.

U-Boat Capsoil Watches

Another completely unique design that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, U-Boat Capsoil watches feature a Swiss electromechanical movement completely immersed in a low viscosity lubricating oil. This liquid not only flows throughout the movement but also into the dial to create an absolute jet black finish and an ever-moving compensation bubble that distorts and amplifies the view of the hands.

The U-Boat Capsoil is truly one of a kind and must be seen to be believed. There are currently four key models within the collection: two standard three-handed models, one in stainless steel and one in titanium. The other two showcase fantastic chronograph functionality with a 12, 3 and 6 o clock layout also available with a stainless steel or titanium case.

Shop the U-Boat Capsoil watch collection

U-Boat 1939 Doppiotempo Watch

New for 2019, the U-Boat 1939 Doppiotempo watch stands alone in its own collection and for the last few months has only been available to order exclusively through C W Sellors Jura Watches. This fantastic model honours the many watches designed by Italo Fontana commissioned by Italian and international special forces including the GIS (Special Intervention Group) of Carabinieri.

The U-Boat 1939 Doppiotempo watch is largely inspired by the model created for the historic 9th parachutist assault regiment "Col Moschin". It’s 200 piece limited edition run has already made waves with its Swiss made self winding movement, 43mm satin finished stainless steel case and two extractable crowns on the left hand side for changing the time and date.

Shop the U-Boat 1939 Doppiotempo watch.

U-Boat Precious Watches

Some of the most luxurious and exclusive watches within the U-Boat collections, the U-Boat Precious watches are enriched with stunning selections of precious gemstones including white diamonds, black diamonds, rubies and sapphires. These breathtaking stones have all been set by hand by the talented Italian craftsman at the U-Boat workshops in Tuscany.

Our favourite U-Boat Precious watch has to be the spectacular Black Swan model which is constructed of 18 carat gold and decorated in 11,000 black diamonds. Some of the diamonds on the underside of the case are even set backwards to give a spiked and rebellious look. The U-Boat Precious watch collection is only for the most glamourous of men and women.

Shop the U-Boat Precious watch collection.

If any of these incredible collections of U-Boat watches have taken your fancy or you would just love to learn more, please feel free to head over to our website or contact our talented team of watch specialists at sales@cwsellors.com or on 01335 453453.

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