U-Boat Classico

Owners of a U-BOAT wristwatch can be sure that the beauty on their wrist is available only in a limited number. At Italo Fontana, the limited edition is one of the basic requirements for charismatic exclusivity. The consecutive carefully styled serial number next to the designer logo fulfills several functions: It refers to identity, pedigree and VIP character.

How did it actually come about?

All models from the Classico, U-42, 1001, U-52, Flightdeck series are indeed divers' watches. But you don't have to be a deep-sea diver to make them your own personal timepiece. You enter into a liaison that you hope will be grandiose. And at the same time, you love its strong character - robust, shock-resistant, waterproof. This was the condition imposed by the Italian War Ministry on the ancestor of the current owner of the company back in 1942, when he was asked to equip naval and air force officers with a multifunctional yet simple chronograph for wartime operations. Not an easy task even for grandfather Ilvo, a gifted inventor of technical devices and timepieces. The plans he delivered were perfect. But it wasn't until 60 years later that his grandson was able to bring them to life. Infected by the chronograph virus, he gave himself 7 years of development time until he declared his creation ready for the brand and the market. When it appeared on the market, the U-BOAT brand caused a turbulent swell.

U-BOAT Classico – Revival of a classic Lifestyle

Devotion to ultimate perfection can be felt in every feature of the U-BOAT Classico. Like all Fontana model series, it is clearly identifiable as a member of the U-BOAT family, and not just for aficionados: the oversize size between 50 mm and 55 mm, the exceptionally high case, the clearly contrasted, simple design and the left-handed bezel leave no doubt about its origins. Italo Fontana is also never short of an original model name, and the Chimera has puzzled quite a few wearers in this regard. Incidentally, the latest in the Chimera line shone as a new release at BASELWORLD 2015 with a 46-mm case made of pure bronze. The Italian watch manufacturer with the reliably ticking Swiss heart has a special knack for unusual mixtures of materials and colors. It boldly combines rubber with precious metals and gemstones, as in the Classico 40 Black (or White) Diamonds, or pairs carbon fiber with ceramic (in the Chimera Carbonio GMT). Looking at the Classico 53 Shinny Bezel with 45-mm steel case, the dial, reduced to its essentials, is fascinating. A painter's powerful brushstroke seems to be responsible for the striking Arabic numerals at 12/4/8 and the longitudinally rounded hour markers. The distinctive color scheme attracts attention. The tobacco brown sporty-elegant leather strap with accentuated stitching and precious metal clasps matches the greenish yellow tone of the dial.

U-BOAT Classico - A luxury watch for alpha dogs?

Not exclusively, but more and more often. Here in Germany, in the land of sports watches, the U-BOAT watches are not yet among the top 10 de-luxe men's wristwatches, given their still relatively short history. Only a question of time, says HORANDO. The specialist for select luxury watches at reasonable prices is sure that more and more sophisticated, style-consumed men are getting into the Italian moments in life. My Segafredo, my Brioni, my U-BOAT. Even buying watches on the internet can be exciting. But your heart races when you pick up a U-BOAT Classico for the first time, feel its bezel and look at the scratch-resistant, flawless dial. By the way: Online specialist HORANDO goes offline and has recently started presenting the U-BOAT model series in its own showroom in Bamberg's prime location.