u-boat replacement watch straps

U-Boat watches are an ode to professional instruments and instrumentation. In a meeting with Italo Fontana, founder and designer of U-Boat watches, I learned that much of his inspiration comes from extraordinary machines like racing cars, or jet fighters and the instrumentation found inside them. The successful Flightdeck collection and the lesser known Thousands of Feet series are examples of U-Boat watches that spawned from this passion. A second important source of inspiration for Italo's watch*** career is a concept that his grandfather had proposed to the Italian Navy in 1942. The numerals and left handed configuration of U-Boat watches spurred from these drawings and were originally revived in 2009 by the giant, 65mm, U-1942. The limited edition U-42, unveiled in March 2010, is based on the U-1942 but scaled down to a 53mm size and to a more accessible price range.Italo Fontana's grandfather, Ilvo Fontana, submitted his watch idea to the Italian Navy at the same time that Panerai was producing their pieces for the Marina Militare. While not associated in any way with the Panerai family business, Mr. Fontana's watch was based on the same principles of high legibility, water resistance, and reliability. A few notable differences occurred, where the most obvious was an intricate crown system on the left of the case. The left-handed configuration, which achieves a more comfortable fit on the wrist as well as better protection for the crown, has become one of the signature characteristics of Italo Fontana's U-Boat watches.Italo's U-42, like his granfather's concept had to be, is highly water resistant. Its structural specifications read exactly like a professional-grade diving watch. Each watch is tested at the manufacturing stage to ensure that it can withstand 40bars of pressure, which reaches beyond the official rating of 300 meters. The numerals are large and bold and coated with a healthy dose of phosphorescent paint in order to be clearly legible underwater. The bezel rotates freely in both directions when released by way of a lever, the type of functional and peculiar feature that many watch enthusiasts look for. The lever is tucked into the right side of the case. When this lever is pulled the bezel is unhinged and the user is able to set it. Like most, if not all luxury dive-inspired watches the U-42 is obsolete for use in real-life, deep-water dives. Lacking photo-luminescent markings on the rotating bezel is the U-42's specific shortcoming. It can, however, serve a purpose in shallow dives where a dive computer is superfluous and light is still available to see the markings on the bezel.The case of the U-42 is 53mm in diameter. This is equal to the size of the popular U-Boat Classico models. The U-42 is 3 mm thicker and things like the bezel are beefier, giving the impression that it is larger. Grade 5 natural titanium is used for the manufacturing of the case, which in my opinion is indispensable to large watches. Titanium is light and tough. It is always surprising to adorn such oversize models as the U-42 and feel a very comfortable weight. Large watches are easy to be hit against things like door frames and tables, so titanium's toughness offers an advantage over steel or ceramic. It scratches roughly as easily as steel, but it is difficult to put big dents on it and as good as impossible to chip, as can happen, albeit rarely, with ceramic.On the left of the U-42 is the very specialized crown system. The philosophy behind the large, protruding crown is ease of use in all conditions. Even with thick gloves, one can release it from its resting position and get a hold of it. To release the crown, a trigger-like piece is placed at seven o'clock. Once unfolded, the crown protrudes considerably, and can be pulled out like any other crown with positions for winding and setting. Once returned to its folded position, the whole crown system plays into the rugged style of the case.Because it is inspired by a design from 1942, it is natural that the U-42 offers a vintage-like look. The dial plays an important role in achieving this style. The hour markers are bold and display a beige hue that recalls the spent, and discolored white luminescent paint on old watches. The beige paint on the U-42 is phosphorescent and is also applied to the hands. These thick, baton hands are made of sterling silver. The strap is cut and stitched by hand using thick, brown leather and beige thread. It is manufactured in the same way as traditional leather goods. The grain of the leather is left untouched on the underside of the band and is only marked by the U-Boat logo that is burnt into it. The U-42 is an automatic-winding watch. It runs on "Meccanica Svizera" or Swiss mechanics. The movement that the watch runs on is dubbed the U-28 calibre. It is the first movement to be given a U-Boat calibre denomination. It offers a 40 hour power reserve. Undoubtedly it is provided by one of the major manufacturers of high-grade movements in Switzerland, probably ETA or Sellita, and is reconfigured to accommodate the left-handed crown configuration and the added torque provided by the huge crown.999 or less of each variation of the U-42 will be manufactured. Several models are projected, including versions clad with gold elements, but thus far only the black dial with beige numbers is confirmed for release in the near future. As mentioned before the U-42 fits in a more accessible price range than its big brother, the U-1942, of which only 28 were manufactured and offered at US $40K. The U-42 will be available in the US and Canada for under $7K in either currency.The scope of Nonno Ilvo Fontana's 1942 design was to build a strong, impermeable, and highly legible timepiece for specialized navy commandos. This is what is captured in the U-42. The difference is that, rather than for Italian Frogmen, it is destined for the wrists of watch enthusiasts with a sweet tooth for size. The 53mm, titanium case is rigorously engineered and true to military design principles of the forties. Originally the design offered unparalleled visibility in dark waters, and now a remarkable and unique look.Retail $7,000Written Marco Gagliano of MattBaily.ca

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 .