The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2022 - Issue 32

bitewatches U-B o at I ta lo F o n ta n a I talian watch designer Italo Fontana inherited his love of watches from his grandfather Ilvo, a craftsman of precision engineering instruments commissioned by the Italian Navy to design and produce a wristwatch for its pilots. Whilst the watch never materialised during the war, Italo discovered its design decades lat- er. He used it as a blueprint for the modern-day U-Boat U-42 limited editions featuring a left-side crown, a lock- ing mechanism and a studded bezel from the initial 1942 concept. “I have always been fascinated by design,” Italo revealed. “I create in total freedom [and] don’t follow any trends. I try to do what other brands don’t. I have no obliga- tion to create the same over and over again.” Founded in the medieval town of Lucca, Tuscany, in 2000, U-Boat embraces Italo's inspiration with attention to detail, constant passion, dedication to innovation and perfec- tion, and an open mind towards the future. He loves to explore new ideas and uses modern and unusual tech- niques and materials.