a new balance on the wrist

Originally designed for the use of Italian pilots and submarine officers in World War 2, the first U-Boat watches were meant to be indestructible, large, and easy to read under the harshest circumstances. Decades since, U-Boat watches still stay true to these very principles. Oversized, bold, and beautiful, these Italian timepieces now have a home here in Manila with the opening of its newly minted store in Maxims Hotel, Resorts World Manila.

Celebrities like Jericho Rosales, Heart Evangelista, Gretchen and Marjorie Barretto, Karylle Tatlonghari and Tim Yap all trooped to the unveiling of the posh new showroom to welcome the arrival of U-Boat’s signature collections.

The man who started it all—Italian designer Italo Fontana—was on hand as well to give a glimpse into his approach in designing the one-of-a-kind U-Boat timepieces. “Dimension, precision, along with a clear identity in design are the main features I’ve worked on to better personify a new dimension in timepieces,” he says.

Accompanying Fontana was Mounir Moufarrige, an acclaimed tastemaker who helped bring U-Boat’s grand vision to life. After rejuvenating esteemed brands like Chloe, Mont Blanc and Goyard, Moufarrige joined forces with Montana to further develop the timepieces which he believes “will gradually replace conventional size watches” because they offer “a new balance on the wrist.”

As a token of appreciation for Fontana’s vision and work for the brand, It’s ‘Bout Time, Inc., the official distributors of U-Boat watches, honored the founder with a one-of-a-kind sculpture by award-winning visual artist Fernando Cacnio. Aptly titled “Timeless,” Cacnio’s artwork featured the grace and beauty of a naked woman on her back, levitated only by her flowing long hair—an engineering marvel that is reflective of the U-Boat timepieces.  

U-Boat has built a strong following among wristwatch connoisseurs anchored on its three signature pieces: the timeless Classico, the sporty Flightdeck, and the adventurous Thousands of Feet. Actor Jericho Rosales was seen sporting the Flightdeck 50 Cab Titanium Bezel, a model that was inspired by the control panel of an aircraft which Mr. Fontana chanced upon while on a flight deck.