U-BOAT Capsule Watch New Models
Seven years after the first launch, Italo Fontana brushes up this astonishing design with a range of new U-BOAT Capsule watch models still drawing inspiration from the 30’s bathyspheres and with steam punk aesthetics reminiscent of Jules Verne’s imaginative worlds.
The Capsule watch was first introduced in 2015 at Baselworld and was directly inspired by the first undersea exploration modules.
Italo Fontana was fascinated by depth gauges from the early 1930s and incorporated their characteristic features into the design of the Capsule watch.
These primordial submarines had a rounded shape and porthole windows with water pressure-resistant glass to ensure the safety of the people inside the cabin during the dive. The spherical portholes, made from strong glass, were clamped to the outside surface using a system of levers to ensure water resistance.
With these features in mind, the designer created a watch with a domed sapphire crystal that amplifies the view of the dark dial with a magnifying glass effect and is sealed to the case through an external and independent bezel fastened to it with five external screws.
On the sides of the case, the small number of screws docking to the case to the bezel allows a long see-through slit with a view on the dial and running all around the watch circumference from the patented pusher for the easy crown extraction to the characteristic crown cover protection hook.
Available in 50mm and 45mm sizes, the Capsule watch features a grade 5 titanium case, known for its strength and lightweight characteristics, as well as a version in PVD-treated steel and in steel in both sizes, all with a black dial and a small date window at 9 o’clock.
The titanium version, in size 50mm only, under the thick and no-reflective sapphire glass, boast a dial composed of the layers with the upper one in black metal with indexes and numbers treated in beige superluminova and the 24h indicator.
The 316L PVD treated steel versions are even available in both the sizes, 45mm and 50mm, still with a black dial but indexes and numbers treated with blu superluminova and with no 24h counter.
To complete the range a 50mm and a 45mm both with 316 L steel case, still with black dial, absence of 24h counter and with indexes and numbers in beige superluminova.
Inside the watch the precision of the Swiss movement with a Sellita SW200 automatic caliber, modified to the U-BOAT specifications, which beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour with 41h power reserve.
Limited edition watches, in 90 pieces only for the titanium version and 200 each for all the others, are completed by a laser engraved case-back, with the image of a bathysphere, locked by 4 screws and a leather strap handcrafted by Tuscan artisans with traditional techniques.
Model: U-BOAT New Capsule Watch
Movement
Swiss automatic mechanical, personalized to U-BOAT specifications
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Power reserve: 41 hours
26 jewels
Skeletonized rotor
Sellita SW 200 calibre
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date at 9H
Model 8805 has a 24h indicator
8805 – CAPSULE 50MM T5 BK BE
Case
Titanium G5, round sapphire side window
Diameter 50 mm
Distinguishing crown on the left side
Screw-down crown
Patented system crown extraction lever at 10 o’clock
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Case-back: Laser engraving. Sealed with four external screws. Serial plate screwed in
Dial
Three superimposed dials in black metal with visible opening on leverage
Indexes and numbers with glasses in brushed metal treated with beige Super-Luminova
Hands in painted metal treated with beige Super-Luminova
Strap
Laser cut strap, brown color, handmade from hand-finished calf leather and processed according to traditional artisan techniques to give the strap a naturally distressed look and feel. Finishes made with waxed cotton
Width: 23/22 mm
Titanium tongue buckle
Edition
Limited edition of 90 pieces
8806 – CAPSULE 50MM PVD BLACK BL
Case
AISI 316L stainless steel with PVD treatment
Diameter: 50 mm
Round sapphire side window
Distinguishing crown on the left side
Screw-down crown
Patented system crown extraction lever at 10 o’clock
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Case-back: Laser engraving. Sealed with four external screws. Serial plate screwed in
Dial
Three superimposed dials in black metal with visible opening on leverage
Indexes and numbers with glasses in brushed metal treated with blue Super-Luminova
Hands in painted metal treated with blue Super-Luminova
Strap
Laser cut strap, black color, handmade from hand-finished calf leather and processed according to traditional artisan techniques to give the strap a naturally distressed look and feel. Black finishes made with waxed cotton
Width: 23/22 mm
Steel tongue buckle with subsequent PVD treatment
Edition
Limited edition of 200 pieces
8807 – CAPSULE 50MM SS BK BEIGE
Case
AISI 316L stainless steel case
Diameter: 50 mm
Round sapphire side window
Distinguishing crown on the left side
Screw-down crown
Patented system crown extraction lever at 10 o’clock
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Case-back: Laser engraving. Sealed with four external screws. Serial plate screwed in.
Dial
Three superimposed dials in black metal with visible opening on leverage
Indexes and numbers with glasses in brushed metal treated with beige Super-Luminova
Hands in painted metal treated with beige Super-Luminova
Strap
Laser cut strap, brown color, handmade from hand-finished calf leather and processed according to traditional artisan techniques to give the strap a naturally distressed look and feel. Finishes made with waxed cotton
Width: 23/22 mm
Steel tongue buckle
Edition
Limited edition of 200 pieces
8808 – CAPSULE 45MM PVD BLACK BL
Case
AISI 316L stainless steel with subsequent PVD treatment
Diameter: 45 mm
Round sapphire side window
Distinguishing crown on the left side
Screw-down crown
Patented system crown extraction lever at 10 o’clock
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Case-back: Laser engraving. Sealed with four external screws. Serial plate screwed in
Dial
Three superimposed dials in black metal with visible opening on leverage
Indexes and numbers with glasses in brushed metal treated with blue Super-Luminova
Hands in painted metal treated with blue Super-Luminova
Strap
Laser cut strap, black color, handmade from hand-finished calf leather and processed according to traditional artisan techniques to give the strap a naturally distressed look and feel. Black finishes made with waxed cotton
Width: 20/20 mm.
Steel tongue buckle with subsequent PVD treatment
Edition
Limited edition of 200 pieces
8809 – CAPSULE 45MM SS BK BEIGE
Case
AISI 316L stainless steel, round sapphire side window
Diameter: 45 mm
Distinguishing crown on the left side
Screw-down crown
Patented system crown extraction lever at 10 o’clock
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Case-back: laser engraving. Sealed with four external screws. Serial plate screwed in
Dial
Three superimposed dials in black metal with visible opening on leverage
Indexes and numbers with glasses in brushed metal treated with beige Super-Luminova
Hands in painted metal treated with beige Super-Luminova
Strap
Laser cut strap, brown color, handmade from hand-finished calf leather and processed according to traditional artisan techniques to give the strap a naturally distressed look and feel. Finishes made with waxed cotton
Width: 20/20 mm
Steel tongue buckle
Edition
Limited edition of 200 pieces
