2015-03-31

U-BOAT Batisfera AKA the CAPSULE Watch

By TLex Coming from the Italian for Bathysphere, the new U-BOAT Batisfera AKA the Capsule Watch is the latest creation designed by Italo Fontana. It was directly inspired by the shape of the earliest deep-sea capsules, specifically those from the 1930’s.



U-BOAT’s Italo has always been fascinated by bathyspheres from the early 30s, and so designed the Capsule Watch to exhibit their typical characteristics, such the rounded shape of the porthole windows that were bolstered by thick pressure-resistant glass to ensure that the occupants could survived the treacherous dives.

Made from strong glass, these spherical portholes were clamped to the external hull of the capsule using a system of levers to ensure water-resistance.

The Capsule watch uses a similar patented system to clamp the glass to the watch’s Grade 5 Titanium case by means of a system of external fixing levers that are guaranteed to withstand the pressure exerted by both internal and external forces.



The two main levers, blocked in place by a third one positioned at 3 o’clock and by special safety screws, press the domed glass in Hesalite against the waterproof gasket beneath. This system secures the watch in the event of any changes in pressure.

The entire process of opening and removing the glass can be performed without dismantling any of the watch’s main components (usually the bezel must be removed), but only the crystal.



The watch comes in a Limited Edition 288 pieces with two different variants, which are with either a black or beige colored dial. It’s pretty cool concept, but I’m not sure I really get the execution and with just 100 meters of water-resistance, it kind of misses the whole point of a deep sea capsule inspired watch.

From what I’ve read online, even as far back as the 30s, there were bathyspheres that were capable of reaching 10 times the water-resistance of this. I like THIS a whole lot more!

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