U-Boat Classico U-47 Bronze Limited Edition Watch Review
Tuesday - 08 December 2020
Handsomely dressed in a combination of bronze, red and black, the brand new U-Boat Classico U-47 Bronze Limited Edition has arrived and is available exclusively on the Jura Watches website. Limited to only 50 pieces in total, the rare timepiece retains the familiar personality of the Italian watch brand with a military-inspired design, large dial and the iconic hand crown placement with crown guard on the left hand side of the case.
The story of U-Boat watches is a fascinating one, and wonderfully reveals the inspiration behind every modern release of today. In 1942, Ilvo fontana, a talented craftsman of precision engineering instruments received commission from the Italian Navy to design and engineer a watch for its Navy pilots. The watch had to follow a set of very precise technical specifications whilst also guaranteeing maximum reliability and readability in any light or weather conditions. However, due to circumstances of the times, the project never materialised. Then, in 2000, Iivo’s grandson Italo Fontana came across these designs and decided to use them as inspiration for the first ever U-Boat watch.
The U-Boat Classico collection is a fine example of the brand’s technical prowess and their ability to take inspiration from their past and turn it into handsome, trendsetting designs for today’s modern man. Those dressed in bronze, like that of the new U-Boat Classico U-47 Bronze Limited Edition, are linked directly to their past connections with the Navy with bronze being widely used in the construction of deep-sea helmets and naval construction. Bronze is also this year’s most popular material in watchmaking, thanks to its unique patina which develops over time. When exposed to moisture in the air and pH levels in perspiration, the bronze case of this U-Boat Classico U-47 Bronze Limited Edition will completely change colour, meaning that there will be 50 limited edition pieces with a unique case entirely bespoke to its wearer.
The case of the U-Boat Classico U-47 Bronze Limited Edition sits solidly on the wrist, as expected from all U-Boat watches, measuring to 47mm in diameter and showcasing the distinguishing crown on the left hand side. The unique serial number is engraved on a small plate fixed to the side of the case while the screw down case back features a special anticorrosive applique treatment to delay the chemical reaction of the bronze as it sits against your skin.
Through the fume glass case back, you can admire the automatic mechanical movement which has been entirely personalised to U-Boat specifications so that it can be controlled using the stem positioned at 9 o’clock. The gold-plated oscillating rotor has been laser cut to showcase the brand’s logo and spins with every movement of the wrist to provide a 44 hour power reserve. The 26 jewelled calibre also runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers central hands for hours, minutes and seconds and a date window at 3 o’clock.
While bronze has become a common case material for many manufacturers in industry, seeing it alongside a bright red strap and red accented dial is new. The striking red laser cut strap looks absolutely breathtaking up close, hand-finished in calfskin leather and given a naturally distressed look. Paired with a bronze pin buckle, the red strap matches perfectly with the red accents on the dial which include luminous red hands, red Arabic numerals at the 4 and 8 o’clock positions, sleek red luminous indexes and the iconic ‘U’ emblem at 12 o’clock. The matte black dial is also finished by a visible ruby at 6 o’clock, a characteristic symbol of all U-Boat Classico watches, housed beneath sapphire crystal glass.
As an official exclusive to Jura Watches, the U-Boat Classico U-47 Bronze Limited Edition is only available to order on the Jura Watches website here. Get in touch with the team today to learn more about this rare piece and to get your hands on one of the 50 limited edition pieces.
Specifications: U-Boat Classico U-47 Bronze Limited Edition Watch (7797/R)
- Case Size: 47mm
- Case Material: Bronze
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Unique patented protection system, positioned at 9 o’clock
- Case Back: Screw down with fume glass and anticorrosive applique treatment
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Automatic winding, mechanical
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 44 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Matte black with red luminous hands, numbers and markers
- Strap: Red calfskin leather
- Buckle: Pin, buckle
- Limited Edition: 50 pieces
- RRP: £,1950
