Inspired by the enchanting beauty of the dark side of the moon, U-Boat has unveiled a mighty new model incorporating a special oil-filled dial that creates a staggering illusion of a disappearing crystal, a simply gratifying yet functional feature that surely stands out from the crowd. Showing off all the familiar elements that we know and love from U-Boat including the left-sided crown and a formidable case size, the Darkmoon is definitely set to impress.
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U-Boat Darkmoon 44mm Blue PB Soleil Ref. 8700/B
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Despite being a rather young watch manufacturer that stepped into the industry, U-Boat has grown rapidly to establish a huge following for their unique military-inspired designs combining a tasteful Italian flair and the exceptional precision of Swiss watchmaking. U-boat was founded in 2000 by Italo Fontana when he discovered his grandfather’s detailed pencil sketches depicting robust watches carrying a masculine yet refined character. The name ‘U-Boat’ has its origins from a series of watches intended to be created for Italian Navy Pilots back in 1942 with designs that emphasized water resistance, durability and extreme precision. Unfortunately, this project never materialized. However, through the determination and strong resolve of Italo, his grandfather’s valuable sketches were brought to life, giving birth to the U-Boat we know today.
It is clear U-Boat takes incredible pride in the making of their watches, having every single U-Boat timepiece individually handcrafted and assembled in Lucca, central Italy by master watchmakers. Many of U-Boat’s timepieces embody the unique designs, impeccable performance and remarkable attention to detail from the past designs of Ilvo, Italo’s grandfather. We can certainly see why the brand has gained such a massive following, even to be seen on wrists of Hollywood’s renowned actors including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise.
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“Destro” screw-down crown
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Equipped with a brushed 316L stainless steel case, the substantial 44mm case diameter of the U-Boat Darkmoon 44mm SS IPB Blue Ref. 8700/B definitely feels familiar, evoking a bold and powerful wrist presence that many U-Boat watches bring. Together with its lug to lug distance of 51mm and a case thickness of 13mm, the watch wears fairly large, however contouring around the wrist comfortably with its pleasingly curved lug shape. For an extra stealth look, the 316L stainless steel case is treated with a black IP treatment for an understated yet imposing appearance. The watch is supplied with a 22mm ultra-resistant vulcanised black rubber strap, personalised with the logo of the Maison in relief.
Undoubtedly the star of the show here is the sunburst fumé blue dial filled with a special ultra-clear oil that brings a breath of life to the rather simple dial. Immersing the entire space between the dial and the highly domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal amplifies the intensity of the black dial and large luminova-painted beige indices while making the crystal look almost non-existent - a truly mesmerising feature that will draw your eyes down on your wrist more often than you usually would. The visible air bubble under the dial compensates for any temperature variations, nevertheless, the watch is kept at an optimal temperature of 0°/+60°C when not on the wrist.
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| Battery hatch at the back for easy replacement |
The U-Boat Darkmoon 44mm SS Blue IPB Ref. 8700/B is driven by the Swiss Ronda 712.3 quartz movement operated by the distinct left-hand crown at the 9 o’clock position. Not only is the movement extremely accurate with an estimated battery life of 60 months, utilizing a quartz movement allows the Darkmoon to be completely lubricated in the oil bath (non-conductive fluid). At the back of the case, U-Boat’s innovative locking ring system houses the movement in place while providing an ample water resistance of 5 ATM (50m). For a quick battery change without removing the case back, a convenient hatch is integrated for a hassle-free experience.
U-Boat has constantly impressed us with their unique designs and performance-driven features, the U-Boat Darkmoon 44mm SS Blue IPB Ref. 8700/B demonstrates how the brand ceaselessly integrates new innovative features in their watches bearing an unconventional military-inspired look. The combination of the world-renowned design expertise of the Italians and state-of-the-art Swiss watchmaking really shows how U-Boat has set themselves apart from the rest of the industry.
