u-boat 7750/50 acciaio 316l

Titanium offers many extraordinary characteristics. Its colour, its strength, and mainly its light-weight are the material's main advantages. The low density of the metal makes it particularly useful when manufacturing large watches. It is therefore not surprising that U-Boat, a company very familiar with large watches, is accustomed to using titanium. Thanks to the metal's structural properties, and to U-Boat's advanced Italian manufacturing capabilities, the Classico Titanium is as robust as it is stylish.The case of the Classico is no less then 53mm in diameter. It offers a decisively military look with instrument-like characteristics. The six structural screws visible on the bezel are an example. As can be imagined, the weight of this oversize case is surprisingly light thanks to the use of titanium. The case is also extremely solid, continuing the parallel between the watch and high-tech military instrumentation. The cap or crown cover, placed on the left of the watch for comfort, actually protects one of the sturdiest crown systems I have ever encountered. Even at the last position ? when changing the time ? the crown feels very sturdy and does not wobble as it would on most other watches. The sapphire crystal's diameter would usually affect its strength, but its considerable thickness makes up for this potential vulnerability. The infamous 7750 calibre movement that powers the watch is also known for its resilience and dependability. Finally, take into consideration the timepiece's water resistance and it is evident that the Classico Titanium does not just play the part, but is actually suited to professional use.Also influenced by military technology is the style of the Classico Titanium Chronograph. Black watch cases are an Italian tradition originally used by the military. The dark metal avoided reflecting light and giving away the position of camouflaged personnel. Italo Fontana's design is stealthy, but the watch is still highly legible thanks to the bold design of the dial and wide hands. When the lights are out, the time is even more visible due to the photo-luminescence of its elements.The Classico Titanium chronograph is a culmination of several of Italo Fontana's specialities. It captures U-Boat's roots in military watch design, as well as the very oversize style of watches that Fontana played a role in popularizing. The CAB Titanium sports the necessary aspects of a high-end, high-quality sports watch, and packs them into a modern, unique, and impressive package. Written by Marco Gagliano. Marco specializes in U-Boat watches at Matt Baily. Retail $5,600

Italo Fontana has very well figured out how to design big watches. U-Boat watches are between 45mm and 55mm in diameter and even reach 65mm in the particular case of the U-1942. One thing that has not been associated much with these gargantuan timepieces, however, are complications. Showing that they are at the height of more traditional watchmakers to produced complicated watches, U-Boat released the U-51 Rattrappante complicated model.With a complex system of levers, springs, and pinions, the “rattrapante” or split-second chronograph movement is one of horology’s finest mechanisms. Its function is to allow the user to mark a time measurement without stopping the ongoing timer. This is done by overlapping two independent seconds hands. After starting the chronograph as usual, a third chronograph pusher can be used to stop one of the overlapping second hands and allow the user to take a reading. This can be used for timing lap times for instance. The English name for this type of chronograph is derived from the action of splitting the hands. Once the button is pushed again the hand that had stopped catches up to the primary chronograph seconds hand instantly. This gives the function its French name: rattrapante.Mostly you will find such fine mechanisms in more traditional and elegant watches, but the U-51 is nothing like these. The colossal case is 51mm in diameter without counting the impressive crown cap and pushers. It is undeniably based on military styling with a protruding, protective bezel, five visible fastening screws, and a matte satin finish. Although the exact measurement is not known yet, the thickness of the case is evident. The screw-locking crown protector ??????? on the left as always with U-Boat watches ??????? has been greatly reworked from the company’s more basic models. So have the hinge system that secures the crown cover to the case and the start/stop pushers. A final, subtle touch of style is created by abandoning the lugs, making the strap seem integrated with the case.What makes the U-Boat U-51 Rattrapante special is that every part of it has been amplified. Even the strap has been adorned with the most extravagant alligator leather and fortified with a rubber border. All these extras earn the U-51 a price tag of roughly US$15,000, which places the watch amongst the most expensive stainless steel U-Boats, but it is also amongst the rarest. The U-51 will be produced in very limited quantities and is in its own category amongst the U-Boat watch collection.Written by Marco Gagliano. Marco is a specialist of at .