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U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
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Author:  Drtymrtini [ Thu Aug 27, 2009 6:52 pm ]
Post subject:  U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
Admittedly, my first love is for my Breitling BlackBird, but a Panerai 321 is giving me goosebumps - but I've come across a few pics of U-Boat and really can't find much info on them.

Any opinions, info, links, etc. are appreciated. Just trying to figure out if they're really all that special or more hype and self-promotion. I like the look of the watch, but wuold love to see them in person. Sometimes watches I am unfamiliar with look great in pictures, but once I see them in person and handle them for myself, I become disappointed.

Thanks folks :)
Author:  Driver8 [ Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
Styling-wise I don't hate them, but they are definitely more of a fashion brand rather than a truly serious watchmaker. Lots of bog-standard ETA's in them, but the real downer for me is that I think they use mineral glass instead of sapphire.

Fine for a beater, but don't expect too much from them.
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
I like them, but there are a few caveats.

Surface treatments present the usual challenges, and the movements are generic if that bothers you.

However, A watch with real presence, and not too expensive, though it's nothing special as a watch - you are paying for the look (though the same argument could be made about many Breitlings).

edit - just saw Driver8 beat me to it, but I've already typed it, so what the heck.
Author:  Carlos [ Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
I’ve handled one and it was of no better quality than a $200 Fossil.

You’d be better off with a Bell & Ross, Panerai or Anomimo for that kind of look.
Author:  breitlingsource [ Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
Carlos wrote:
I’ve handled one and it was of no better quality than a $200 Fossil.


Just bought a U-Boat Flightdeck in Stainless Steel, and while I don't think it is up to Par with Bell and Ross as far as Build Quality, I think given their relative cost, they are priced quite appropriately. They are a bit big, and I never thought I'd own one, but I do. The movements are indeed bone stock, however... which is probably the weakest link. I personally think the case finishing is much better than the entry level Swiss brands such as Hamilton and Tissot... and probably on par with Fortis.

Driver8 - The front and back glass are both Sapphire on this U-Boat at least.
Author:  Driver8 [ Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
breitlingsource wrote:
Driver8 - The front and back glass are both Sapphire on this U-Boat at least.

You are indeed right there Admin. I think their use of sapphire it's quite a new development though, as when I first came across them they definitely weren't.
Author:  DZar [ Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
me and bumpssi looked at them in tourneau, and they were like garbage, the crystal looked like plastic, and almost as if it was about to pop out of the case. i don't recommend them.
Author:  breitlingsource [ Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
DZar wrote:
and they were like garbage, the crystal looked like plastic


How were they like garbage? Can you be more specific? When I look closely at the watch and the case finishing, I cannot find a single flaw. The angles are cut crisply, and the dial is printed very nicely. And how did the crystal look like plastic? My crystal looks and feels like sapphire... like any other watch I have owned with a flat sapphire that isn't AR coated.
Author:  Drtymrtini [ Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
I actually had a chance to check them out this past weekend while traveling (Dallas, TX has some fantastic watch stores). I really wasn't impressed at all. I would agree that they are overpriced fashion statements - they felt like oversized Nixon watches - more gimicky than anything.

The finishes were really unimpressive and they feel like plastic - they just didn't feel like "quality" watches.

Thanks for all the input and no offense to the poster above who owns one - it's just not for me.
Author:  breitlingsource [ Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
Drtymrtini wrote:
The finishes were really unimpressive and they feel like plastic


I'm not offended.. just extremely perplexed on how the metal feels like plastic? Or you are you talking about the Crystal? (which I still dont get either)

I'm not exactly a stranger to quality watches and have handled quite a few watches good and bad... just quite surprised that they are being described as Garbage and like Nixon. This is simply not what I am seeing when I look at my U-Boat.
Author:  Roffensian [ Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
I don't own a U-Boat, but I have looked at some in the past. I don't think that they are high end watches, and they are definitely sold for looks rather than mechanicals, but I think that some of the comments are a little harsh. I have always found them to be very solid, rugged watches.
Author:  Sequoia [ Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
I agree with Ad-Min. I own a U-Boat Flight Deck 50MM and really like it. As others have stated it is not the same as a Breitling or other watches at that level but for the price you get a nicely made LARGE watch with what I consider good quality. When I bought the watch I did not expect it to be a high end watch but a very unique one that definitely draws attention.

Regards,
Author:  DZar [ Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
look im not trying to knock or offend anyone but i just didn't see the quality, and neither did the salesperson, who recommended Bell and Ross instead, they look cool, i like the color combos, though as a quality timepiece i just don't see it falling in line. sorry, i do not mean to offend anyone, it is a matter i guess of personal opinion
Author:  Driver8 [ Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
DZar wrote:
look im not trying to knock or offend anyone but i just didn't see the quality, and neither did the salesperson, who recommended Bell and Ross instead, they look cool, i like the color combos, though as a quality timepiece i just don't see it falling in line. sorry, i do not mean to offend anyone, it is a matter i guess of personal opinion

I'm sure no-one here's offended at all. After all, this entire forum is just a place for people's opinions. :thumbsup:
Author:  Drtymrtini [ Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: U-Boat Watches - Any Opinions or Info please
I disliked the watch upon handling it because it seemed a little too gimicky - like it was trying to hard. I felt like if I took the logo off of a large Nixon watch and a U-boat, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. The colors are cold and the designs are uninspired and old. The materials feel like a tin can crafted into a military watch. I just didn't walk away with a feeling of "wow, solid, precision, rugged, etc.

However, that is based on the newer models I was able to actually see/handle. Perhaps some of the older models pulled off a better experience? I don't know.
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