U-BOAT U-42 Chrono 53mm & 47mm

By TLex The U-BOAT U-1942 and the U-42 were, say U-BOAT based on a watch developed by Italo Fontana's grandfather for the Italian Navy, although for my knowledge no one has ever seen this watch; I wonder if a prototype was ever made and if so, why we haven't seen it? I digress! At Baselworld 2010 U-BOAT unveiled the U-42, which was in fact based on a scaled down 53mm version of the U-1942 itself with a monstrous 63mm case size (excluding its periscopic crown mechanism).



One year on and U-BOAT introduce a new chronograph version of the watch with the same 53mm case with an accompanying 47mm version that U-BOAT say they made with their female customers in mind. Both version of the U-42 Chrono are fitted with Valjoux 7750 calibers, are available with black dials and in limited editions of 999 pieces of each size.






MOVEMENT Automatic mechanical chronograph modified and personalized at U-BOAT specifications for date display and stem position at 9 o’clock. Frequency 28.800 vibrations per hour; 4 Hz. Power reserve 44 hours. 25 Jewels. Height 7mm.

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, chronograph, counter small seconds at 3, counter 12 at 12, counter minutes at 6. Date window at 9 o’clock.

CASE Back case fixed on case with 6 encapsulated hexagon screws. Watertight on axis reset and assured charge by PTFE gasket. Bi-directional rotating bezel lockable with a lever on the right side of the case. Fixing of revolving bezel by 3 screws encapsulated in the back case; the bezel removal, for maintenance and washing obtained by removing the three screws, does not affect the watch watertight.

STRAP Brown leather handcrafted, width 23/23, and fitted with a titanium tongue buckle. For the 53mm version, strap with plate in titanium with tag for personalization.