U-boat

U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot [ˈuːboːt] , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot (undersea boat), and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II. Although in theory U-boats could have been useful fleet weapons against enemy naval warships, in practice they were most effectively used in an economic warfare role (commerce raiding), enforcing a naval blockade against enemy shipping. The primary targets of the U-boat campaigns in both wars were the merchant convoys bringing supplies from Canada, the British Empire and the United States to the islands of Great Britain. Austrian submarines of World War I were also known as U-boats.
The distinction between U-boat and submarine is common in several languages, including English (where U-boat refers exclusively to the German vessels of the World Wars) but is unknown in German, in which the term U-Boot refers to any submarine.



Back in 1942 the "Officine Fontana" was poised to produce a professional watch for the distinguished officers of its navy’s U-Boats. Though the project was ultimately scrapped, the distinctive original drawings, color samples and innovative materials were lovingly preserved for more than 60 years. In 2000, Italo Fontana, a cousin of the watchmaker’s late founder, made a long held company dream come true with the launch of today’s inspired U-Boat brand.

U-Boat watches, just like their original namesake, are bold, aggressive and oversized. These timepieces embodied force and style and revealed the unique personality of the man behind the revival, Italo Fontana: “It took me seven years to develop and refine the U-BOAT watches. Inspired by 18th century craftsmanship and intricate made-by- hand detailing we can now produce a timepiece of rare artisanal quality that reaches to a new dimension of watch making.”

Character and strength is a hallmark of the U-Boat brand. All watches in the line are designed with the crown on the left side of the case. It is both a unique and unexpectedly comfortable timepiece to wear. This distinctive signature is the brand statement: Classic yet powerful.

All items in the collection are made with either automatic or manual Swiss ETA mechanical movements. Each are housed in full-bodied, oversized, steel cases.

PVD treated crystals, and precious metals beautifully merge with rubber and steel details, challenging traditional design standards in the world of timepieces.

From the Thousand of Feet Collection with its particular dodecagonal shaped case, to the latest Nightvision Collection that allows you to replace the colored glass, each watch express a singular personality.

In 2005, Italo Fontana joined forces with Mounir Moufarrige, an acclaimed tastemaker known for breathing new life into Montblanc and Chloé. Together they are bringing U-Boat into the limelight of today’s watch industry. Found only at the most discriminating of international retailers, U-Boat watches are earning worldwide appreciation from connoisseurs of rare and beloved timepieces.

st discriminating of international retailers, U-Boat watches are earning worldwide appreciation from connoisseurs of rare and beloved timepieces.

• U-Boat 1838 Flightdeck Watch $13,700.00
• U-Boat 1844 Flightdeck Watch $12,400.00
• U-Boat 1858 Thousands of Feet Watch $11,700.00
• U-Boat 1215 Classico Watch $11,650.00
• U-Boat 1216 Classico Watch $10,800.00
• U-Boat 1890 Thousands of Feet Watch $7,650.00