Like most, if not all luxury dive-inspired watches the U-42 is obsolete for use in real-life, deep-water dives. When this lever is pulled the bezel is unhinged and the user is able to set it. The lever is tucked into the right side of the case. The bezel rotates freely in both directions when released by way of a lever, the type of functional and peculiar feature that many watch enthusiasts look for. The numerals are large and bold and coated with a healthy dose of phosphorescent paint in order to be clearly legible underwater. Each watch is tested at the manufacturing stage to ensure that it can withstand 40bars of pressure, which reaches beyond the official rating of 300 meters. Its structural specifications read exactly like a professional-grade diving watch. Italo’s U-42, like his grandfather’s concept, had to be, is highly water-resistant. The left-handed configuration, which achieves a more comfortable fit on the wrist as well as better protection for the crown, has become one of the signature characteristics of Italo Fontana’s U-Boat watches. Fontana’s watch was based on the same principles of high legibility, water resistance, and reliability.Ī few notable differences occurred, where the most obvious was an intricate crown system on the left of the case. While not associated in any way with the Panerai family business, Mr. Italo Fontana’s grandfather, Ilvo Fontana, submitted his watch idea to the Italian Navy at the same time that Panerai was producing their pieces for the Marina Militare. The limited-edition U-42, unveiled in March 2010, is based on the U-1942 but scaled down to a 53mm size and to a more accessible price range. The numerals and left-handed configuration of U-Boat watches spurred from these drawings and were originally revived in 2009 by the giant, 65mm, U-1942. A second important source of inspiration for Italo’s watchmaking career is a concept that his grandfather had proposed to the Italian Navy in 1942. The successful Flightdeck collection and the lesser-known Thousands of Feet series are examples of U-Boat watches that spawned from this passion. U-Boat watches are professional instruments and in a meeting with Italo Fontana, founder and designer of U-Boat watch, I learned that much of his inspiration comes from machines like racing cars, or jet fighters and the instrumentation found inside them.
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