The engraving and finish of the case, including the black PVD coating are basic yet masterful showing off the manufacturing prowess of the U-Boat watch factory in Lucca, Italy. It is quite large, and is solid in all setting, winding, and rest positions. The actual crown that it protects is robust nonetheless. The crown cover is held to the case by a hinge like that on a Cartier Pascha if the Pascha were submitted to intense MMA training for several years. The crown cover is found, as usual, on the left of the watch case and is neighboured by the helium escape valve. It is raised above the crystal as in the company’s Flighdeck models. The bezel distinguishes this model from the first generation Classico U-1001s. U-Boat’s U-1001 is deceptively light for this reason. The lightness of the substance marries well with oversize watches. The truth is that this giant wrist-watch is comfortable on any size wrist, but a passion for oversized watches is certainly prerequisite.
When it comes to 55 millimeters, however, I received some incredulous stares. When working at the Matt Baily watch boutique in Montreal Canada, I would always tell my clients that there is no such thing as a watch that is too big. Its impressive 55mm diameter is complemented by an thickness of 18.2mm. As in many U-Boat watches the size of the case is quite remarkable. Now that we have shown the structural integrity of the U-1001, we can concentrate on what is more visible about the watch. The helium valve therefore is appointed to evacuate the gas and relieve the internal pressure. The crystal may become dislodged or shatter, and a weak case would be at risk of deformation. At the point when the watch returns to the surface said gases expand and may cause great damage to the watch. Helium and Nitrogen, being very small molecules are able to seep into the watch through the seals while the diver is acclimatizing in a chamber filled with the gas mixture.
U BOAT CLASSICO U 1001 PROFESSIONAL
While its name implies that there is helium gas within the watch, what it is referring to is the helium that is present in “breathing gas” mixtures used by professional divers for very deep dives. Apart from the coolness factor that it adds to the overall look of the watch, this small valve has a very specific function. On the U-Boat U-1001/1 it is placed below the crown on the left side of the case. This strength indicates durability and quality on dry land.Īnother technical feature that is fitted to almost every diving watch is an automatic pressure release valve. Looking at it that way may give a whole new appreciation of how strong diving watches have to be. Consider that at 1000 meters bellow sea-level the crystal alone is supporting the equivalent of about 400 lbs. Because it is flat it does not distort the dial’s features, so its thickness is not evident by looking at the watch straight on. It is constructed out of synthetic sapphire, which is is highly scratch resistant due to its hardness, and it is 5.5mm thick. In order to withstand the incredible pressure pushing down on it, it must be made extraordinarily thick. One very important aspect of the U-1001/1 is its crystal. The U-1001 cannot actually be classified as a professional diving watch due to its lack of certain diving-related markings, but all structural qualifications are met. The next few paragraphs will look at each of these parts in detail. The designers and engineers then have to take into consideration all the weak spots of the watch like the crystal, crowns, and all the other tiny fissures between parts. In order to survive this tremendous pressure a timepiece needs a strong case, which in this instance is a 55mm tank carved out of titanium.
This translates to about 150 pounds of force per square inch. It is easy to see why when considering that at a depth of 1000 meters, a watch is subject to an atmospheric pressure that is 100 times superior to that at sea level. A water resistance rating of 1000 meters – 1001 meters to be true to the U-Boat spec sheet – is not easily acquired.
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