U Boat watches

[Adam B]

Seen a few and tried a couple on, quite like their different style but not sure if they are a bit try-hard

The 53mm is a bit ridiculous unless you are the size of Giant Haystacks, quite like this 45mm Classico (would not pay anything like list price mind you)

http://www.thewatchgallery.co.uk/u-boat-classico-4...

Anyone else a fan / have one / can recommend?

[nickcowen]

I am a fan of U Boats but do not have the means to buy on. I have a black on black 50mm parnis that looks 99% the same and I have been asked lots of times in that a U Boat. So iv you don't fancy the big pay out you could get a parnis for under £100 pound. Mine has kept perfect time since I got it about a year ago and I've been swimming with it too.

[alfaman]

saw some in a 2nd hand watch shop today (Singapore ) .

Absurdly large for humans ..more like a bed side clock than a watch . Just could not imagine wearing one. ( though design not bad)

[andy tims]

Massively over-priced "look at me" watches.

Check out the second hand prices on Chronp24 etc. to see how "well regarded" they are.

[Adam B]

As I mentioned I would expect a 30% off even for a new one, the 45mm don't look silly size-wise

Although that crown guard looks a bit affected

[Cotty]

It looks a bit like a Werners
http://www.wernersflyingwatches.com/ranges.asp?Ran...

[C8PPO]

I bought the Werners XXL watch about 18 months/2 years ago, to scratch the U-Boat itch. It's similar to, but not quite the same as this (face has slightly different characters):



It's fifty-something mm, and when I called Nick @ Werners to order it, he did ask me if I realised how big it was!

Wore it a few times but tbh I don't wear it any more - it really is too big, and even at 6'4" and less than slightly built, I don't feel comfortable (mentally!) with it any more.

Did attract a lot of attention though!

[GPS M-Jet]

C8PPO said:

I bought the Werners XXL watch about 18 months/2 years ago, to scratch the U-Boat itch. It's similar to, but not quite the same as this (face has slightly different characters):



It's fifty-something mm, and when I called Nick @ Werners to order it, he did ask me if I realised how big it was!

Wore it a few times but tbh I don't wear it any more - it really is too big, and even at 6'4" and less than slightly built, I don't feel comfortable (mentally!) with it any more.

Did attract a lot of attention though!

Interested in selling it mate?

[krusty]

Eddie's Submersibles come up for sale every now and again on TZ. Great value for that 'big watch feel'

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f31/wtt-submersible-l...

[gp1699]

i have a 45mm clasico, i like them because not many people know what they are or what they cost :-)

[Adam B]

Some nice alternatives there but 45mm is my limit size wise.

Just toying with the idea really and interested in owners opinions of them, maybe look to get a cheap 2nd hand one

[Mats]

I have had my Classico for a while, it is the larger variant and I only tend to wear it in the summer. I get more positive than negative comments. Although I am considering flipping it as it gets little wrist time now. It sits in the safe

[deltaevo16]

I too had the U boat itch, and ended up with one of these

http://www.rwg.cc/topic/91035-in-dustry-limited-ed...

Been a good watch still on the original battery nearly 3 years and keeps reasonable time.

[Companycardriver]

Hello, this my U boat Classico 45. 



I bought it new about 18 months ago. It's feels a little big at first but you soon get used to it. Don't think I would want anything bigger though.  Beware of cheap second hand ones, there are a lot of fakes about and the earlier U boats are Quartz not auto. 

[BondandBigM]

I have this 53mm one, a bit different from the usual U-Boats you see. Sure not for everybody but they are much better quality than some people give them credit for. I like big watches so for me it's fine. Although to fair they are getting a bit expensive these days, I bought mine about 6 years ago when they were relatively inexpensive.

[RobM83]

U-Boat make decent watches, despite internet experts opinions gained despite never owning one. Just don't buy them new, as they don't hold value, largely due to those opinions! Many of the opinions you hear are very hypocritical though, rubbishing them for being over-sized regardless of the fact they make smaller sizes, just as the OP here asks. A 45mm U-Boat is considered a joke and waste of money, a 45.5mm Omega PO is a great watch and even if it's too big for somebody, rarely do they call it a joke or a 'look at me' watch. Even Bell & Ross get more respect for their larger watches!

Anyhow, buy wisely and avoid paying full retail and you'll have a very well made watch, with a very good ETA movement, decent straps, good finishing detail and if you like the way they look, that's about all you can hope for. I can't say I like most of their styling, but I had a 45mm Classico AB4/A which was a cracking watch and quite subtle compared to most of the range.

[Ikemi]

RobM83 said:

rubbishing them for being over-sized regardless of the fact they make smaller sizes, just as the OP here asks. A 45mm U-Boat is considered a joke and waste of money, a 45.5mm Omega PO is a great watch and even if it's too big for somebody, rarely do they call it a joke or a 'look at me' watch. Even Bell & Ross get more respect for their larger watches!

It's a bit different though

-The PO also comes in 42mm
-It's not just the diameter of U-Boat watches, but the oversized crowns and pushers.
-The PO has a co-axial movement ... The U-Boat does not!
-Omega has more history as a manufacturer in comparison to U-Boat
-The PO is a classic design and has styling cues from previous Seamaster watches. U-Boat is relatively new and is a bit more 'marmite'.

Nothing against U-Boat personally, but you can't compare a U-Boat and a PO with regards to oversized/try-hard watches

[RobM83]

Neither can you judge a watch on size or web-reputation alone, which was my point. There are plenty of much larger watches that get a much better press from the very same people who are quick to rubbish the idea of buying a U-Boat.

U-Boat have more history than the likes of Bell & Ross (Sinn re-issues) and also make smaller watches, yet if somebody suggests buying a B&R (as well they should, they are cracking watches) it's never met with the same distaste.

[Ikemi]

RobM83 said:

U-Boat have more history than the likes of Bell & Ross (Sinn re-issues) and also make smaller watches, yet if somebody suggests buying a B&R (as well they should, they are cracking watches) it's never met with the same distaste.

Neither watch manufacturers have much history, as both companies are relatively new. I wouldn't say that U-Boat has more history than B&R. It's true that B&R began life working in conjunction with Sinn, which is no bad thing in my book, but that spring-boarded the company financially into opening a new manufacturing plant for their own range of watches.

In simplistic form, U-Boat consisted of a couple of designs that were created on behalf of a select group of Naval Officers. The project was cancelled soon after, but the designs were handed down through the Fontana family, in which the Grandson of the original designer decided to create a new watch brand based on those designs.

Both companies produce some very 'marmite' watches and I'd state that both companies charge over the odds in terms of RRP. As a result, both B&R and U-Boat are best bought second hand.

RobM83 said:

either can you judge a watch on size or web-reputation alone, which was my point. There are plenty of much larger watches that get a much better press from the very same people who are quick to rubbish the idea of buying a U-Boat.

It seems that the majority of bad press comes from the fact that most U-Boat watches are rather on the large side, and as a result, are seen as a bit comical. Coupled with the high RRP, it's not a good package for prospective watch hunters. I think the damage has been done, whether the poor reputation was deserved or not. Second hand prices are low and movement is slow. Anything over 46mm becomes increasingly difficult to sell and pieces that are 50mm, 53mm, and 55mm in size will look ridiculous on most wrists.

If you compare to likes of Glycine, who receive nothing but praise for their larger watches, Glycine have more history (est. 1914, one of the few remaining independent watch manufacturers in Switzerland, Airman used in Vietnam etc), more attention to detail (properly decorated movements with excellent build quality) and are good value for money at RRP prices.

[andy tims]

RobM83 said:

U-Boat have more history than the likes of Bell & Ross (Sinn re-issues)

Really?

We know B&R's first watches were made by Sinn, but they have been around since 1992. U-Boat seem to have only existed since 2000. Have I got that wrong?