5 Great Summer Luxury Watches at Matt Baily
by Marco Gagliano on July 15, 2010
tagged as: fashion style hamilton alpina u-boat Bell & Ross watches summer
The summer is a great time for watch enthusiasts. Coats are gone, sleeves are short, and wrists are naked and in plain view. Not only is your watch more evident, but this gives you the opportunity to peruse other people's wrists; something like a watch buffet. For a timepiece to be a good fit for this season it has to go with the feel, colour, and fun of summer, and it has to be suited for activities like swimming, travelling, or enjoying the cool evening breeze with friends. In this article I have chosen five Matt Baily watches that make fine luxury accessories for the summer.
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BR 03-94 Heritage
Like all the Bell & Ross BR Instruments, the BR 03-94 Heritage is a watch that you want people to see. It is not conspicuous, but it offers a remarkable style that is well balanced and simple. As good as this 42mm square watch can look poking out from under the cuff of your shirt, it looks even better when the contrast between black and beige is fully displayed on your wrist. This brings up an important aspect of great summer watches, the strap. A tanned leather band like the one on the Bell & Ross Heritage watches, feels summery and light. Furthermore, all of the brand#39;s BR Instruments come with a secondary strap and specialized tools to interchange between it and the original. In the case of the BR 03-94 Heritage, the secondary strap is of black rubber. A quick swap and the watch, which boasts a water resistance rating of 100 meters, is ready for a relaxing day at a waterfront near you.
Alpina Avalanche Extreme Auto w/ Black PVD
Summer activities play a big role in our love for the hot season. A timepiece that is suitable for all these and also for more formal events would be a reasonable addition to this list. All Alpina watches in the Extreme collection are designed to be as rugged as they are beautiful. They are all awarded with a water resistance rating of at least 100 meters and come fitted with a rubber strap. The Avalanche Extreme Auto with black PVD is particularly well rounded. The large, decorated crown is screw locking and the watch has a water resistance rating of 200 meters. This designation means that the Avalanche Extreme Auto can not only be submerged in water, but is suitable for recreational water sports like water skiing, wind-surfing, and very light diving. The rubber strap is very comfortable and dries quickly, so you can take the watch from the beach to the restaurant. Thanks to the stylish design of this 48mm Alpina timepiece it can be worn for a multitude of occasions all through the summer.
Avalanche Extreme Auto. With original dial (left) and numeral dial (right)
Hamilton Jazzmaster Slim 43 With a Milanese Bracelet
There is a definitive style for summer apparel. It is light in colour and in feel, and simplicity often dominates regardless of how bold the design may be. Hamilton#39;s Jazzmaster Slim 43 collection captures the simple elegance of vintage watches from the sixties, and fuses it with contemporary size and technology. The model that particularly stands out as the perfect summer watch is the one with a silver dial and the Milanese strap. The Milanese strap is a modernized version of the metal mesh bracelets that were once welded to the case of watches. The mesh strap adds a fashionable, elegant aspect to the Slim 43, but allows air to pass through it unlike bracelets made with wide, solid links. I always have visions of tennis players from the Sixties and Seventies when dealing with this watch. Their style was light, airy, and summery for the sake of performance, but also a basis for the design of much fashionable apparel.
U-Boat Classico CAS 2
Large watches love summer. There are less shirt cuffs to impede and a naked wrist is a far better stage than one that is covered with a jacket or coat. The U-Boat Classico Chronograph Automatic Steel (CAS) Beige is amongst these large, luxury timepieces. As mentioned before, lighter colours are ideal for summer, matching the lighter moods of people. The Classico CAS 2 is fitted with a beige dial and a tan, leather strap. Rubber straps are also available for these models, which are tested for a 100m water resistance rating. The Classico CAS is available in 45 or 53mm. However large the diameter of these watches is, a large wrist is not a prerequisite. A few women, for example, wear the 53mm Classicos, and for good reason. It looks really great.
Hamilton Seaview Medium Automatic 37 - For Women
Considering that some women have no qualms about wearing 53mm U-Boat watches, it is clear that the days when ladies#39; watches had to be tiny and fragile are over. For 2010, Hamilton considerably expanded their offerings of automatic, luxury watches for women. Amongst the new models, the Seaview Medium Automatic, in particular the variation with a white dial, is perfectly adapted for the summer. The company describes it as a timepiece for busy individuals, but these "action-packed agendas" eventually give way to summer vacation, to which the Seaview Medium is well adapted. It offers a robust water resistance rating of 200 meters, suitable for swimming and light water sports. A white rubber bracelet completes the impermeability of the piece. The white dial Seaview Medium is delivered in a special presentation case that also includes a white leather strap and a metal bracelet. All the straps an bracelets are equipped with pushers so that they can be interchanged easily by hand, a feature appropriate for such a versatile watch.
Summer is here. We can forget our parkas and insulated boots, and feel free and airy within our warm-weather-wear. Short sleeves make wearing our watches more enjoyable. The hot months are the best time to adorn our favourite timepieces.
The Story of U-Boat Watches From Matt Baily to Baselworld 2010
by Marco Gagliano on July 9, 2010
tagged as: history baselworld Watches U-Boat
The luxury watch industry is quite hard to break into. Very few young companies are able to achieve success in their first decade of operation. Since its opening in 2004, Matt Baily Marchand de Montres et Bijoux has been keen on finding these forward-thinking, innovative, companies as they emerge. U-Boat, based near Florence in the Italian town of Lucca, is a good example of a young company that sparked Matt's attention. Matt Baily discovered the U-Boat watches while perusing the aisles of Baselworld 2005. Thanks to Italo Fontana's design skills, the U-Boat watch brand has risen drastically in popularity over the years while maintaining the rarity and cachet of a small manufacturer.
Once Matt discovered the Italian U-Boat brand, he was so excited about bringing their watches into the store that the negotiations did not last long. We received our first shipment shortly after his return from Basel. The first watches that U-Boat was manufacturing were mostly equipped with Japanese, Myota quartz movements. While still high-grade items, the original Lefthooks and Lefthook Cronos were devised as luxury fashion accessories rather than watches for connoisseurs. Many visitors to the boutique then, and still now, were stunned by the size of the 53mm LeftHooks. The crown system on the left of every watch was another oddity. This feature is what puts the "left" in "Lefthook." We later discovered that all U-Boat watches have a left hand configuration, because of what inspired Italo Fontana to start producing watches. His grandfather drew up an idea for a watch in 1942. This timepiece, which has been replicated in 2009 with a very special edition called the U-1942, featured a large, robust crown system that was placed on the left side of the case to enhance comfort. This left handed configuration was a major key in the success of U-Boat watches. It made the 45, 48, and 53mm timepieces surprisingly comfortable. Each model was a limited edition, showing that these were not massed produced, but exclusive, luxury items.
The U-1942 is based on plans drawn up by Italo Fontana's grandfather in 1942
During the first year at Matt Baily, U-Boat watches were a definitive success. The timepieces were priced well, manufactured in Italy, and the LeftHook style was unique and interesting. As each model was a limited edition, many of the styles started to disappear, and less and less new styles were released. For a while it got very difficult to obtain the watches our clients wanted. The reason for this scarcity turned out to be that the company had stepped up their watchmaking skills and replaced their entire collection of quartz watches with new models running on high-end, Swiss, mechanical movements. The Classico collection is what resulted from the company's shift to high end horology. Visually it was almost the same as the LeftHooks, except for numerous key differences including a see-through back, slightly thicker case, and engraved metal plate on the strap. I have come up with two possible reasons that the company may have had to change their watches. Confronted with the popularity of their first series and a desire to expand, Italo Fontana and company had a choice between increasing production of their current models, or to create a higher-end product and keep production numbers low. Keeping with the original non-mass-production approach, the company chose the latter option. There is also the possibility that turning upscale was always in the plan and that the quartz models were a form of market research. One thing is for sure. The original quartz models have consequently become somewhat collectible.
The Classico Chronograph Automatic Steel (CAS) is part of the current collection of U-Boat watches
The original mechanical models, many of which are still in production, made the use of Swiss mechanical movements and featured The improved cases. The finish became finer and a wide see-through window was fitted to the back of each watch to show-off the high grade, Swiss mechanics. Other aspects such as the strap and crown were improved as well. The price jumped accordingly, roughly doubling the starting price of a U-Boat watch, but any doubts of whether watch enthusiasts would embrace the higher end, new models soon vanished. Not only did U-Boat gain in popularity they began attracting the attention of celebrities. Sylvester Stallone is a notable VIP U-Boat fan. His representatives originally contact the Matt Baily Boutique thinking that we were the manufacturers. Mr. Stallone had encountered the watches in Italy and his people found our website which displayed the watches. Eventually, Sly became U-Boat's most famous customer. A good indication of this is that the most popular entry of all times on the Baily Blog is Dino's Stallone Jumps on the U-Boat Bandwagon.
With the advent of the new U-Boat watches, two new collections where introduced. The 50mm square Thousands of Feet and the very popular Flighdeck Chronographs and three-hand watches. Every aspect of U-Boat watches is regularly improved. Over time sapphire crystals have become standard on all models, the crown cap has become sturdier, and the leather straps are now fitted with folding deployante clasps and more comfortable leather. Horologically speaking, the company is proving itself with the release of the U-51 Rattrapante Chronograph, their first complicated watch, and fantastically innovative designs like the U-42 and Flightdeck Ceramic bezels.
The success of the first ten years of the company were represented at Baselworld 2010. When Matt Baily found the U-Boat watches, Italo Fontana's booth was small and located in a secondary hall of the watch fair. In 2010, a luxurious, multilevel structure was erected in Hall 1 amongst the watch world's greats, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, the Swatch Group. In regards to this achievement Italo commented that ""it is incredible, but true," and expressed great pride for the work him and his associates have done in the past. It was a long ascent to achieve in such a short period, and only the beginning of the U-Boat story.
Matt Baily and Italo Fontana at the U-Boat Booth at Baselworld 2010
U-1001/1 Video Review from the U-Boat Booth at Baselworld 2010
by Marco Gagliano on May 6, 2010
tagged as: reviews videos baselworld 2010 u-1001 watches u-boat
As part of our series of videos taken at the U-Boat booth at Baselworld 2010 Matt Baily presents the U-Boat U-1001/1. This 55mm, titanium, Italo Fontana creation is robust. These pieces are equipped with structural strength suited for professional, deep sea dives, but demarcated with signature U-Boat style rather than technical graduations and markings.
If you do not see a video below, please visit the original post on MattBaily.ca.
U-Boat Limited Edition U-1001/1 Titanium 55mm Watches from Matt Baily on Vimeo.
A quick outline of the U-1001/1's notable features
- 55mm wide and 18mm high titanium case
- 1001 meter (100ATM) water resistance rating
- 5.5mm thick sapphire crystal
- Helium escapement valve
- Automatic Swiss movement
- black rubber strap with folding, deployante buckle
Six variations exist and each one will part of a limited edition series of 1001 examples. The different variations of the U-Boat U-1001/1 are made with natural or black, PVD coated grade 2, natural titanium, and combined with a dial with either a beige, orange, or blue photo-luminescent hours markers.
The dial of the U-1001/1 is made of three layers. One is coloured, one is black and has the hour markers stenciled out of it to reveal the colour underneath, and the U-1001 logo is applied on top.
U-1001 logo as well as well as other markings are engraved on the side of the case. The titanium case, PVD coated in this instance, is 18.20mm high.
The beige dial. The case is 55mm wide. On the left is the crown system and a helium release valve necessary for professional diving at extreme depths and using mixed gases.
A small plate is applied to the watch to indicate the individual watch number. 1001 of each variation of the U-1001/1 will be manufactured.
Black, PVD coated with orange dial. The titanium case and rubber strap are made in Italy in Lucca, near Florence.
You can comment on this and other posts on the Matt Baily Facebook page. Matt Baily is an authorized retailer on U-Boat watches in Montreal, QC Canada.
U-Boat Limited Edition Classico Titanium Video
by Marco Gagliano on April 7, 2010
tagged as: baselworld 2010 review videos watches u-boat
As I mentioned already on several occasions, Italo Fontana did not disappoint this year at Baselworld. Several very exciting U-Boat watches models where revealed. Amongst them were three new versions of the Classico Titanium Chronograph, which was released last year in a limited series of 200. These 53mm wide, 17mm thick, titanium marvels are equipped with ceramic bezels and fantastic race-car-dashboard-like dials. Each variation will also be limited to only 200 pieces.
So our clients may see these cool watches for themselves, we produced this video in 1080p FULL HD. Enjoy!
A Video player should be visible here. If you do not see one please visit the original post on the Baily Blog
To comment on this and all our other posts please visit our facebook fan page.
Matt Baily Videos - Two of U-Boat Watches from Basel 2010
by Marco Gagliano on March 25, 2010
tagged as: flightdeck ceramic bezel u-42 reviews videos baselworld 2010 U-Boat
MattBaily.ca is produucing HD videos in order to share as much of Baselworld 2010 as possible with our clients and fans. I have been finally been able to edit the first two HD videos. These pertain to the two awesome U-Boat watches that where revealed this year. The first is the Flightdeck Ceramic Bezel featuring - as you may have guessed - a black ceramic bezel and a sleek carbon fiber dial. The second is the exciting U-42 limited edition that I have been talking about in this and this recent posts. The beauty of the U-42 is that it offers many of the features from the impressive case of last year's ultra limited U-1942 - albeit in a smaller 53mm package - but at a fraction of the price. It is definitely worth taking a look at.
Flightdeck Ceramic Bezel
The first aspect of the Flighdeck Ceramic Bezel that struck me is its elegance. The U-Boat Flightdeck chronographs have always been quite sporty. Being based on aviation instruments, this is not surprising. On this new model, however, the glossy finish of the black ceramic mixed with the sombre, all-black PVD case, the sleek shine of the carbon fiber dial, and the rich hand-made strap are to the Flightdeck what a fine fitted tuxedo is to Lennox Lewis.
U-42 Limited Edition of 999 pieces
Titanium is perfect for use in large watches and the U-42 proves it. This Italo Fontana creation also takes advantage of the material's dark colour to create a decisively vintage look. The thick, natural grain strap and bold beige hour markers typical of U-Boat watches add to this effect.
Enjoy our film presentations of these two U-Boat watches, and feel free to comment on this and other blog entries on the Matt Baily facebook fan page. Keep an eye on or subscribe to the Baily Blog for more Baselworld videos to come.
