The luxury watch industry is gearing up for a grand return this spring as is leading showcase event in the world, Watches and Wonders. Between March 27th and April 2nd, the 49 top brands at global scale will gather in Geneva, Switzerland, to reveal their newest timepieces and discuss the trends set to dominate the sector in 2023. Among them is U-BOAT!
An important happening not to be missed for the Tuscan Maison. Italo Fontana, U-Boat Capsule designer and founder, is ready to astonish fair visitors, buyers and journalists at booth 9 at La Place, or virtually on the fair’s website, with his novelties.
Perfectly combining Italian craftsmanship and styling with precise Swiss movements ensure U-Boat’s success. Amongst the most recognizable watch brands, U-Boat Capsule credits this character to its large crown design. In the twenty years of the brand’s existence, U-Boat has grown exponentially to an internationally sought after watch brand.
To better understand’s the brand’s legacy and birth, we must start in the year 1942. The Italian Navy commissioned wristwatches for its pilots with precise technical specifications. A pilot’s watch is an important and integral instrument in the cockpit. As a result, the task itself was quite a challenge. More importantly, watchmaker Ilvo Fontana drew up designs that guaranteed optimum visibility and waterproofness. The unique design was unlike anything before. However, Ilvo’s designs never made it to production, and the designs remained shelved.
Meanwhile, decades passed and the new millennium arrived. In the year 2000, Ilvo’s grandson chanced upon the designs and blueprints of his grandfather. Subsequently, grandson Italo Fontana founded the U-Boat brand with his grandfather’s designs proving to be a great source of inspiration. Above all, Italo envisioned the brand with the motto – ‘A new dimension in time’. This marked the beginning of the brand as we know it today. Meanwhile, Italo Fontana elevated these designs with his own personal signature. His contemporary vision, design aesthetics, and personality combined with the vintage designs presented the brand with a distinct USP. Italo Fontana’s creative drive and perseverance to innovate stand out through the brand’s timepieces and success story. “I’ve always been fascinated by design, I create in total freedom, I don’t follow any trend. I try to do what other brands don’t do. I don’t have an obligation to always create the same things.” His quote, even to date, stands as a testament to his creativity.
Currently, the U-Boat Capsule brand offers nine very distinct collections to choose from. In addition, the brand garners acclaim for the extensive configuration options available under each collection. Under Italo Fontana’s leadership, U-Boat embraces modern and unusual techniques. In a similar vein, the brand also explores a host of materials to manufacture its watches. Above all, U-Boat watches feature the crown at a unique 9 o’clock position. We will look at such examples as we detail the collections. The Chimera collection stands out with its iconic case design, large buttons, and unique crown cover. For instance, the case features five screws that bind the bezel, side, and rear case together. The large and intricately designed case bestows the watch with a masculine character. The Chimera collection makes up four subcategories – Net Skeleton, Pearl, Bronze, and Sideview. We discuss these categories in detail, for it is one of the most loved collections by watch aficionados.
Head to the U-Boat Capsule brand’s official website to check out their current collections and updates. Watches are available for purchase directly on the website. However, if you want to pick up your U-Boat model in person, check out the brand’s store locator to find an official retailer close to you. The brand has multiple single-brand boutiques called U-Boutiques. In addition, several multibrand retailers also offer watches for purchase.