U-Boat watches have an interesting history. In 1942, a watchmaker named Ilvo Fontana was commissioned by the Italian Government to design a watch that was to be used by the Italian Navy. The requirements were specific – the watch had to be visible instantly in any kind of weather and light. For reasons unknown, the project and the resulting watch did not materialize, and remained an idea on paper until, many years later, in 2000 Italo Fontana decided to develop on the idea. The result? The U-Boat brand as we see it today.
The Flightdeck line is considered to be the finest and most sought after collection of this brand. The inspiration for this collection is drawn from the control panel of an aircraft. One of the popular models, the ‘Flightdeck Cas BE’ is a chronograph which has Arabic numerals set on a beige face with brown hands. Push buttons placed unconventionally on the left; this watch comes with a thick case made of stainless steel.
Part of being a top of the line luxury brand is the fact that will always be a demand for imitations of the original and this brand is no exception to the rule. A counterfeit market exists for these watches, and today U-Boat replica watches can be obtained with ease on the internet. Available at a fraction of the price of an original and made with considerable care given to the finer details, these watches are a tempting choice to many who would like to partake in the luxury of possessing a branded watch, but cannot afford the cost of an original.
In conclusion, it can be said that counterfeit or original, the snazzy and trendy U-Boat is a brand that is here to stay and to own one is a definitive style statement in itself.