U-Boat U-51 Rattrapante Complicated Watch – An Amplified Masterpiece

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 U-Boat watches at Matt Baily.

Posted via email from Watchismo Channel

U-BOAT Thousands Of Feet CAS

Thousands of Feet CAS 3

Both the Night Vision and Thousands of Feet are designed to give the illusion of aircraft cockpit gauges, the night vision when it has the red glass on it gives an infrared look to it.

MOVEMENT: ETA/Valjoux 7750, automatic chronograph, frequency 28.800 alternations/hour

CASE: Steel 316 L AISI, diameter 50 mm.

There are 8 steel screws which lock up the back case from the upper side, diameter 50 mm

DIAL: black with white luminous numbering, produced with superluminova.

Water-resistant: 10 ATM

U-BOAT Thousands Of Feet AB series

Thousands of Feet AB 3

Thousands of Feet AB Y

Thousands of Feet AB R

Movement: automatic ETA 2824, frequency 28.800 alternations/hour, 25 rubies

CASE: 43mm  Steel 316 L AISI with PVD treatment, brushed.

There are 8 steel screws which lock up the back case from the upper side.

DIAL: black with luminous numbering, produced with superluminova added to coloured pigments, available in yellow and white.

The dial of this model is made up of two superimposed dials: one white treated with superluminova and the other one cut with composed opaque black paints, used also to produce military devices.

Water-resistant: 10 ATM

See also: Thousand of Feet AS

U-BOAT Thousands Of Feet AS series

Thousands Of Feet AS 3

Thousands Of Feet AS Y

Thousands Of Feet AS R

Movement:

automatic ETA 2824, frequency 28.800 alternations/hour, 25 rubies

CASE: Steel 316 L AISI, diameter 43 mm

There are 8 steel screws which lock up the back case from the upper side.

DIAL: black with luminous numbering, produced with superluminova added to coloured pigments, available in yellow and white.

The dial of this model is made up of two superimposed dials: one, white, treated with superluminova and the other one cut with composed black paints, used also to produce military devices.

Water-resistant: 10 ATM

See also Thousands of Feet AB

U-BOAT Thousands Of Feet MS series

Thousands Of Feet MS Y

Thousands Of Feet MS O

Thousands Of Feet MS 3

Thousands Of Feet MS 1R

Both the Night Vision and Thousands of Feet are designed to give the illusion of aircraft cockpit gauges, the night vision when it has the red glass on it gives an infrared look to it.

Specifications

Movement: Manual wind ETA 6497 frequency 18.000 alternation/hour 17 rubies.

Case: 316 L AISI (optional PVD coated) 50mm dia. Rated 100 meter water resistant. 8 steel screws lock the case back through the entire case and are visible from the top. Sapphire crystal and see-through back with steel blind protection, laser processed.

U-BOAT Nightvision

Red glass

Yellow Glass

Blue Glass

This homage to jet fighter planes comes with three different coloured crystals that can be installed without the use of tools. The watch case is a massive 53mm wide with the characteristic U-Boat screw-down crown cap. A see-through case back shows off the automatic movement.

Both the Night Vision and Thousands of Feet are designed to give the illusion of aircraft cockpit gauges, the night vision when it has the red glass on it gives an infrared look to it.

Movement:

Automatic Swiss movement - ETA2824 Frequency 28.800 Alternations/hour 25 rubies.

Case:

AISI 316L Stainless Steel 53mm diameter

Case back: sealed with screws, visible movement, special steel movement holder with particular holes to make it lighter.

Bracelet: Strap - Calf Leather

Notes: Ring nut bezel - Stainless steel 316L removable to place PVD treatment in red color optic K1 glass filter (which means you unscrew the bezel, so you can place the red glass over the clear crystal and screw back on the bezel) Crystal - clear K1 mineral crystal

U-BOAT Flightdeck ABO

The striking look of the popular Flightdeck chronograph is simplified in the ABO. The beautiful dial is made up of two layers that are sandwiched together. Bold Arabic numerals are stenciled out of the black layer to show the orange layer underneath. The Italian-built case is massive and rugged with a cool black finish, sapphire crystal, and see-through back.

The ABO runs on the uncommon, and massive ETA A07.111 caliber movement, which was conceived especially for watches with a diameter of 50mm or more.

Movement: ETA A07.111 automatic movement.

Case: 50mm AISI 316L stainless steel case with black IP treatment. See thru case back, screwed down.

Bracelet: Italian leather strap.

Dial: Black dial with orange pointers markings and numbers.

100m / 10 ATM water resistance.

U-BOAT Flightdeck

Flightdeck MBG

Flightdeck MSG

Movement:

Hand-wound Swiss ETA 6497 movement with U-boat decoration.

Case:

50mm case with black PVD treatment, see-through back.

Oversize crown on the left and U-Boat engraving on the right.

Bracelet: Black calfskin perforated strap.

U-BOAT Flightdeck Chrono CAB WH

The Flightdeck Chrono was part of U-Boat's leap to mechanical Swiss movements. It features the tried and true Valjoux 7750 chronograph caliber, a manly case that is hand finished in Italy, and the attractive U-Boat signature style. All U-Boats now come with sapphire crystals and see-through backs. Most Flightdeck chronos come in both 43, 50, and a massive 55mm diameter, CAB WH model available only in 43 and 50mm sizes.

U-BOAT Flightdeck Chrono CAS BE

The Flightdeck Chrono was part of U-Boat's leap to mechanical Swiss movements. It features the tried and true Valjoux 7750 chronograph caliber, a manly case that is hand finished in Italy, and the attractive U-Boat signature style. All U-Boats now come with sapphire crystals and see-through backs. Most Flightdeck chronos come in both 43, 50, and a massive 55mm diameter, CAS BE model available only in 43 and 50mm sizes.

U-BOAT Flightdeck Chrono TITANIUM

The Flightdeck Chrono was part of U-Boat's leap to mechanical Swiss movements. It features the tried and true Valjoux 7750 chronograph caliber, a manly case that is hand finished in Italy, and the attractive U-Boat signature style. All U-Boats now come with sapphire crystals and see-through backs. Most Flightdeck chronos come in both 43, 50, and a massive 55mm diameter, TITANIUM model only available in 50mm

U-BOAT Flightdeck Chrono CAS collection

Flightdeck Chrono CAS 3

Flightdeck Chrono CAS O

Flightdeck Chrono CAS Y

The Flightdeck Chrono was part of U-Boat's leap to mechanical Swiss movements. It features the tried and true Valjoux 7750 chronograph caliber, a manly case that is hand finished in Italy, and the attractive U-Boat signature style. All U-Boats now come with sapphire crystals and see-through backs. Most Flightdeck chronos come in both 43, 50, and a massive 55mm diameter

U-BOAT Flightdeck Chrono STEEL BEZEL

The Flightdeck Chrono was part of U-Boat's leap to mechanical Swiss movements. It features the tried and true Valjoux 7750 chronograph caliber, a manly case that is hand finished in Italy, and the attractive U-Boat signature style. All U-Boats now come with sapphire crystals and see-through backs. Most Flightdeck chronos come in both 43, 50, and a massive 55mm diameter, STEEL BEZEL available only in 43 and 50mm sizes.

U-BOAT Flightdeck Chrono CAB collection

Flightdeck CAB Y

Flightdeck CAB 3

Flightdeck CAB O

The Flightdeck Chrono was part of U-Boat's leap to mechanical Swiss movements. It features the tried and true Valjoux 7750 chronograph caliber, a manly case that is hand finished in Italy, and the attractive U-Boat signature style. All U-Boats now come with sapphire crystals and see-through backs. Most Flightdeck chronos come in both 43, 50, and a massive 55mm diameter

U-BOAT Classico collection

Classico AS2

Classico AS1

Classico AS

Classico AB Z

Classico AS NERO

Classico GOLD

 

Classico model details:

Movement: Automatic winding ETA caliber 2824 with sweep seconds and date functions.

Case: 53mm (45) with sapphire crystal and see-through back. The crown is protected by the U-Boat screw-down cap in non-treated stainless steel.

Dial: dial with stenciled out numeral and index markers applied to a luminescent plate to achieve a sandwich dial effect. Date window at Three.

Made in Italy with Swiss mechanical movements. Available in 53mm or 45mm case diameter.

Water resistant to 100 meters.

Manufacturer: Italo Fontana