U-Boat Celebrates Its First 25 Years With Chimera 25°
Icon Reimagined: Chimera
PRESS RELEASE | 517 WORDS | 5 MINUTE READ
A limited edition watch to celebrate 25 years of boldness, identity, and an uncompromising vision of watchmaking, a pride of "Made in Tuscany" and the creativity, heart, and passion of Italo Fontana.
Photo Courtsey: U-Boat
It seems like just a blink of an eye since, in 2000, a young and passionate Italo Fontana decided to embark on this new adventure, drawing inspiration from a barely sketched project by his grandfather Ilvo.
Since then, U-BOAT has always challenged conventions, launching watch collections with an iconic design, against trends and fashions, and initially with oversized dimensions, even surprising the public at the Baselworld fair with a 65mm diameter wristwatch, the largest ever made at the time.
25 years of success have marked the growth and journey of U-BOAT, now synonymous with innovation, tradition, and Tuscan craftsmanship, but above all, an expression of the mind and heart of its founder, Italo Fontana.
To celebrate this important milestone, the brand is launching a limited edition of only 25 pieces of one of the most iconic and recognizable watch designs that has undoubtedly marked the brand's history in the hearts of enthusiasts: the Chimera.
The 46mm 316L stainless steel case houses a spectacular Damascus steel bezel, characterized by fascinating veins and aesthetic variations. The design is enhanced by five 18-carat yellow gold tension screws that secure the bezel to the case back, emphasizing the attention to detail and refinement of the watch.
Beneath the anti-reflective sapphire-coated mineral glass, the black metal dial is divided into two sections: the upper part features a "carres" pattern, while the lower section, in brushed metal with a gold finish, hosts the hour, minute, and second hands, also in brushed metal.
An additional sub-dial, with a yellow gold border, frames the 25th-anniversary commemorative logo, while a plaque positioned at six o'clock celebrates this milestone. A curved date window, located in the upper left, indicates the day's date.
On the left side of the case, at ten o'clock, stands the iconic patented button for easy crown extraction, made of 18-carat yellow gold and knurled for a secure grip. On the opposite side, a plaque with the serial number distinguishes the watch's reference and the ordinal number of the limited edition.
The steel case back features a central mineral glass section, engraved with the 25th-anniversary logo. In addition to the five gold tension screws, the case back is secured with four additional screws that ensure water resistance up to 100 meters, protecting the Swiss automatic mechanical movement ETA 2824 Top Soigne, modified according to U-BOAT specifications.
The customized rotor, made of brass and tungsten, showcases an elegant perlage finish and a rhodium-plated treatment. The strap with a pin buckle is made of selected ostrich leather, crafted in Tuscany by expert artisans.
With a total of over 13 grams of gold distributed among buttons, side plaque, tension screws, and dial, the Chimera 25° is a tribute to U-BOAT's successful history. A celebratory watch that blows out 25 candles but looks to the future with the same determination and innovative spirit that have made the brand a key player in the world of watchmaking.
For further information visit uboatwatch.com