U-BOAT U-51 black and bronze
The hedonistic allure of my favorite drink comes to mind as I admire the engraved clockwork of the U-Boat U-51 Black & Bronze, the latest timepiece from the Italian watch brand. This luxury watch is made of bronze and has a very masculine look.
I still vividly remember sitting on wrought iron furniture outside a café in Milan’s Piazza Duomo. On that sunny summer day, life felt particularly good. The sun painted my face a light bronze and the gorgeous Italian ladies reminded me that I temporarily resided in a land synonymous with beauty.
Some Napoleonic fans would argue that France is the birthplace of cuisine and style. However, I disagree, it is the land of balsamic vinegar and la Bella Tugula that appeals most to most people.
Italians understand the finer things in life. They embrace their food with an obsessive pride, giving it an unparalleled flavor that delights the taste buds. The cuisine is unpretentious, with simple dishes and clear flavours.
The power of design is everywhere, in architecture, fashion and supercars, all brought to life with clear lines and exceptional execution.
Plus, Italians are great at serving up delicious, mouth-watering flavors. Take coffee for example, I admit to drinking several cups of espresso every day. It is this fleeting pleasure that enhances enjoyment and becomes a prerequisite for my daily life. The short aroma stimulates the taste buds in a way that a large cup of coffee cannot.
In fact, in the UK we sometimes omit this by serving "doppio espresso" in some restaurants. By buying a double shot of espresso, you lose the appeal of the simple flavor derived from the seeds of the coffee plant.
A very short form of espresso is Ristretto, which to me is the best example of a barista's skill. It fills my mouth with rich flavor beyond any other coffee and gives me an enjoyment that I never get tired of.
The hedonistic allure of my favorite drink comes to mind as I admire the sculptural form of the latest watch from Italian watch brand U-Boat. The watch is made of bronze and has a very masculine feel. The color scheme reminds me of my favorite drink. Additionally, many details are reminiscent of Italy, a land that triggers romantic prose whenever I hear its name.
dial
The dial consists of a black hollow upper disc and a lower bronze disc, which are visible in different positions. I love the way the wearer is drawn to the dress of the dial.
The bronze portions of the hour and minute hands are skeletonized, with a small black area near their pivot points. At noon, there is a 12-hour counter. It is presented on black sub-dials, with the upper dial marked with outlines, Arabic numerals and strokes, all depicted in white.
The 30-minute counter is located at 6 o'clock and features a combination of a black center section with a circular hole surrounding it, revealing some bronze discs underneath.
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Caliber 9R
replica U-BOAT Chimaera watches
Small seconds at 3 o'clock. This subdial is larger than the other two and surrounds them with its oversized shape. While I often praise symmetry on certain watch dials, in this case the play of different sizes and delivery yielded a pleasingly harmonious result.
The date window is located below the brand name at 9 o’clock.
Hours are marked with Arabic numerals. Their contemporary lettering once again reveals the bronze disc beneath. This gives a wonderful three-dimensional quality, rich in detail, and plays with light perfectly.
The slender central chronograph seconds hand points towards the scale ring, ensuring simple reading of elapsed seconds.
case
The 46mm case diameter is very sturdy and fits the masculine nature of the watch. This is not a timid watch, which is probably why I like its bold styling.
The bezel and case are made of black steel, while the short lugs and case back are made of bronze. It is the use of bronze that sets this watch apart from many other timepieces.
Bronze develops a patina in due time and is affected by the wearer's lifestyle. This results in no two timepieces looking the same over time.
Five bronze screws securely hold the bezel, case sides and case back together. They resemble cylindrical Roman columns and give a strong presence.
The crown guard is made of bronze and has a pleasant knurling that enhances its tactile feel.
I recently borrowed a silver U-Boat Classico 45mm and found it a joy to wear. However, one aspect of the Black & Bronze that has been enhanced is the pusher located at 8 o’clock. It has a more defined contour and improves ease of operation.
The reset button at 10 o'clock is diamond-shaped, angled, and black with a bronze surround. The case back has a flush sapphire crystal. The adjacent area of the case back is decorated with beautiful perlage. Dark brown leather strap provides greater comfort. It has a distressed look that matches the character of the timepiece.
The self-winding Swiss movement inside the watch is very attractive. The rotor is sterling silver, has a spoked design, and has blue screws. The Côtes de Genève pattern appears on the bridge deck, in a circular form rather than the usual vertical stripes. Other surfaces are decorated with circular textures and mirror polish. The finishing of the movement is excellent, making it a beautiful timepiece considering the approachable price.
U-Boat offers an example of attractive Italian design combined with Swiss mechanical excellence.
The case design is muscular and masculine. It has a masculine quality that I personally admire. However, the sapphire case back reveals his intelligence and many desirable attributes.
There's a lot to like about the U-51 Black & Bronze. It’s the clockwork equivalent of my beloved espresso.
Would I buy the U-51 Black Copper? Until recently, I would have said yes. However, another U-Boat model caught my eye, the Chimera Bronze – 46 . The latter model is a complete Ristretto, full of a complete bronze flavor. This will be my model of choice.
Technical specifications
Model: U-Boat U-51 Black and Bronze
Model reference: 6946
Case: Bronze and black steel; diameter 46.00 mm; height 18.10 mm; water-resistant to 10 bar (100 meters); sapphire crystal front and case back.
Functions: hours; minutes; subsidiary seconds; date; chronograph.
Movement: Caliber 7750; automatic; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 25 jewels; power reserve 44 hours.
Strap: brown handmade distressed leather strap with black stainless steel pin buckle
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