U-Boat anyone?

[Andiroo]

Been looking at one of these for some time now to compliment my lefty Panerai, probably because they are a bit Panerai'esque'?

Not so sure the spec is up there with the best, but they sure do some fine looking (and rather large!) machinery for the left-handed fans;



http://www.uboatwatch.it/model.php?idM=52

Any views on these guys, particularly some of the 'no longer in production' models currently on Ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/U-Boat-CHRONO-LIMITED-EDITIO...

Edited by Andiroo on Wednesday 19th January 09:30

[Andiroo]

Search is indeed my friend didn't realise they had been posted here before apologies..

So the £600 ones on ebay above are quartz movement, which probably explains how such a good looking watch is so cheap, however the current model in the pic above is noted as having a 'Automatic mechanical Elabor' movement with a 40hr power reserve. Would this justify a price of approx £1800?

[andy tims]

U-Boat anyone?

[Ikemi]

An extra £1200 for an automatic movement is a little steep! Your best bet would be to try and find a second hand example ... U-Boat are heavy on depreciation, so you could pick up a nice automatic for a lot less than RRP

Have you tried www.jurawatches.co.uk? They stock U-Boat. Might be worth asking what sort of discount they would offer. Push hard for 20% though.

[RobM83]

I have a U-Boat Classico AB4/A and while I appreciate the brand name is very 'Marmite', I love it. It's also an extremely solid and well put together watch, the sort you have no concerns about wearing every day and can take a lot of abuse (although mine does get an easy life...).

Mine is an auto and it keeps OK time... it runs a little fast, I ran ahead a couple of minutes over the course of Jan. Although it is in a watch winder when I'm not wearing it, which might have an impact on that.

That's the only possible criticism I have of it though, I love it otherwise

Just be careful of the vast quantity of rip-off copies around though, which eBay is plagued with.

Edited by RobM83 on Saturday 22 January 20:36

[Adrian W]

Maybe i'm wrong but I've grouped them in with, TW Steel, I also think they are very poor value.

[Vvroom]

andy tims said:

U-Boat anyone?

[andy tims]

Adrian W said:

Maybe i'm wrong but I've grouped them in with, TW Steel, I also think they are very poor value.

At least TW Steel is cheap ste.

[al1991]

NeMiSiS said:

I overheard a Jewellers assistant referring to the U-boat and TW Steel cabinet, as the 'Clowns Watch' cabinet. [ a little strong, I thought. ]

Even I had to struggle to stifle a snigger at that.

And I own a TW Steel.

[Andiroo]

Thanks for the input guys, I suppose this was my concern. A lot of people reckon the Panerai's a clowns watch too, but I love it!

However I think RobM has allayed any fears I may have on the U-Boat (thanks mate ) - it looks the bks imho and from what Rob has said the build quality is very good. If you don't mind me asking Rob, is yours the stainless steel case or the sterling silver? Looks like the former can be had for around £1100 new and the latter (in piccy above) @£1800, both with discount from Jura (thankyou Ikemi ) - which to go for

[RobM83]

Mine is the steel case, all black. This one: http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/U-Boat/Classico-45mm/...

I also own two TW Steel watches and whilst they are very solid and very well put together, you can see why the U-Boats are more expensive when you have the two side-by-side. Sharing the same style doesn't put them in the same category. If it did, why not include Panerai in with this grouping, in the clowns cabinet?

I've got a Seiko watch that looks a bit like an Omega, but it doesn't mean it's the same quality nor the same value. So ignore the comments above and buy the watch you want and like. All that matters is if you enjoy owning the watch. Anyone who buys for the name or the reputation are buying for the wrong reasons, IMO.

Value is subjective. Those who buy a Rolex over an Omega, an Omega over a Tag, a Tag over a Seiko do so for their own reasons. It's personal choice and preference, buy what makes you happy

Edited by RobM83 on Sunday 23 January 14:10

[whoami]

Vvroom said:

andy tims said:

U-Boat anyone?

Revolting.

[andy_s]

Have to say I'm in the No-Boat camp too, but each to their own and all that.

[Adrian W]

I'm not sure you can say UBoat, TW Steel and Panerai in the same sentence

[RobM83]

I'm not arguing against that... but where do you draw the line? If you can put TWSteel and U-Boat in the same camp, why not Panerai? What has to change before it becomes a valid link?

[RichB]

Adrian W said:

I'm not sure you can say UBoat, TW Steel and Panerai in the same sentence

Oh, I think you can, indeed you just did, as did the person who thinks they are all clowns watches.

[whoami]

NeMiSiS said:

'Clowns Watch' cabinet.

I like it.

[whoami]

I know, but the expression appealed to me.

[Ross1988]

NeMiSiS said:

whoami said:

NeMiSiS said:

'Clowns Watch' cabinet.

I like it.

I never said that, it was a nasty lady in the shop, I like big watches.

Do you need any plates in your house or do you just eat off your watch?

I do like it though :-D

I am currently saving up for a u-boat watch, I think they're pretty damn smart watches. I fell in love with them after standing next to a bloke on the metro and he had one one.

[Andiroo]

RobM83 said:

I'm not arguing against that... but where do you draw the line? If you can put TWSteel and U-Boat in the same camp, why not Panerai? What has to change before it becomes a valid link?

Not sure i know the answer to that, simply that U-Boat in my op is a very good looking watch imho, and certainly appeals to my preference of a lefty. Does anyone know what the movement of the U-Boat is, particularly as it has 40hr power reserve like my Panerai? Is it an ETA? (please forgive my ignorance if not). Are the movements that different between the two, as the finished U-Boat product looks to me just as good (although never held one in the flesh), however it probs won't appreciate in value like the Panerai has since 2004