{"title":"Vintage Universal Geneve Watches","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"universal-geneve-space-compax-ref-885104-01-mk1-reverse-panda-dial","title":"Universal Genève Space-Compax Ref. 885104\/01 - 'Mk1' Reverse-Panda Dial","description":"\u003cp\u003eUniversal Genève was one of the many great brands that succumbed to the quartz crisis of the 1970s. While they disappeared, it was not for their lack of impressive watches. To underscore that fact, keep in mind that Henri Stern Watch Agency in their nearly 80-year history has only ever sold two brands: Patek Philippe, and Universal Genève.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBuilding upon the brand’s long-established Compax lineage, the Space-Compax was i\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003entroduced during the 1960s at the height of the Space Age and represented Universal Genève’s answer to the growing demand for technically sophisticated, modern chronographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the Space-Compax sure delivered, combining a highly legible three-register chronograph layout with a distinctive design language with a technically forward-thinking form. The asymmetrical case measures in at 40mm in diameter and utilized a screw-down caseback, screw-down crown, and even a water-resistant pusher design. Rather than simple 'pump' pushers, the mechanisms are capped with rubber and secured by a screw-down 'collar,' effectively providing a sealed pusher. The bezel is a single piece rather than an assembly with an insert, and doubles-down on the timing functionality with 60-minute marks and a colored market at the 12 o'clock position. Inside, the dial is characterized by bold indices, contrasting 'concentric' subsidiary registers, and colorful accents with a both colorful and bold handset tying it all together. These pieces were all powered by UG's Cal. 85 manual-winding movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe example that we have here, a Ref. 885104\/02, dates to circa 1967 and is offered in fantastic overall condition. The case shows signs of very light previous polished, perhaps on the case profiles only, with normal signs of wear and no damage or excess wear of note. The pushers, crown, and bezel all show light wear and present beautifully. The dial within, likely due to its resistance to the elements, is also wonderfully preserved, with a nice clean surface, crisp subsidiary registers, and fully-intact luminous elements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditionally, it comes fitted to its correct and exceedingly rare, 'double-grain beads-of-rice' Gay Frères bracelet with the correct endlinks and signed fliplock clasp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesign details like the dynamic and modern sizing of the case, the calibre within, and the thoughtful, bold dial layout, amount to a piece that clearly shows why Universal Genève was ultimately considered to be one of the finest manufactures in the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn any condition, Space-Compaxes simply do not surface on the open market all that often — let alone in this condition and with its correct bracelet.... and with the recent re-launch of the brand, collectors seem to be holding on to pieces like this, making for a great opportunity to grab this one.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oliver \u0026 Clarke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51872745783613,"sku":"OC3199","price":16250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0765\/6138\/3741\/files\/UG_SPACE_COMPAX_BLK_WEB_1.jpg?v=1782325074"},{"product_id":"universal-geneve-polerouter-ref-20357-1-gilt-tropical-dial-unpolished","title":"Universal Genève Polerouter Ref. 20357\/1 - Gilt 'Tropical' Dial Unpolished","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eUniversal Genève was one of the many great brands that succumbed to the quartz crisis of the 1970s. While they disappeared, it was not for their lack of impressive watches. To underscore that fact, the Henri Stern Watch Agency in their nearly 80-year history has only ever sold two brands: Patek Philippe, and Universal Genève.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eOne of, if not the model line that UG is best known for, is the Polerouter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBorn from the genius of a young, 23-year old Gérald Genta — long before his name became synonymous with icons — the Polerouter is a watch that speaks to both the soul and the mind of the collector. Originally conceived to commemorate SAS’s pioneering flights over the north pole from Copenhagen to Los Angeles, it’s far more than a handsome vintage piece; it’s a true milestone in mid-century horology. With its distinctive aesthetic, refined movement, and enduring legacy, the Polerouter checks all of the boxes for the vintage connoisseur — a surprisingly rare occurrence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe example that we have here dates to circa 1959 and is probably very close to what comes to mind when you hear \"Polerouter.\" It features a 33.5mm case with the characteristic 'twisted' lugs, a signed crown, and a screw-down caseback with the 'SAS polar route' engraving. Inside, the dial is framed with another Polerouter signature design characteristic: the engine-turned steel chapter ring. The dial itself is a correct black 'gilt' unit, with luminous plots present at all positions and a correct 'dauphine' handset to match.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of these details are textbook Polerouter and a delight to behold, but it must be said that it is the dial in this example that is the real highlight... Originally glossy black in color, it has aged to a gorgeous and even brown tone, resulting in a stunning 'tropical' patina. The surface retains its beautiful 'crosshair,' text, and equally beautiful applied 'sheild' logo at the 12 o'clock position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece is powered by what is probably the most desirable movement found in any Polerouter: an automatic-winding 'micro rotor' movement. UG was able to design a movement with the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Microtor' embedded into the movement architecture, which results in a movement that is self-winding, but also thin. This is yet another Polerouter hallmark: they are thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the culmination of details like the dynamic and \u003cem\u003eperfectly-sized\u003c\/em\u003e case, the dial layout with the asymmetrical date aperture, the efficient and innovative movement design, and the fantastic build quality that clearly show why Universal Genève is considered to be one of the finest manufactures in the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e...and its only once it's on your wrist, that these details become apparent. They keep on delivering and continue to impress no matter what else might finds its way into your collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oliver \u0026 Clarke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52788877295933,"sku":"OC3006","price":6850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0765\/6138\/3741\/files\/UG_POLEROUTER_TROPICAL_STRAP_WEB_1_1dd93d5c-7a22-40d3-abc7-94d06e861ac0.jpg?v=1785975030"},{"product_id":"universal-geneve-compur-ref-22445-luminous-black-dial-unpolished","title":"Universal Genève Compur Ref. 22445 - Luminous Black Dial Unpolished","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eUniversal Genève was one of the many great brands that succumbed to the quartz crisis of the 1970s. While they disappeared, it was not for their lack of impressive watches. To underscore that fact, keep in mind that Henri Stern Watch Agency in their nearly 80-year history has only ever sold two brands: Patek Philippe, and Universal Genève.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eThe piece that we have here hails from the early 1940s — a time when the world was at war. Predating the more recognizable ‘Compax’ line of watches were a few different chronographs produced with specific use-cases in mind (e.g., Film-Compax, Medico-Compax, Dato-Compax, etc.) this 'Compur' chronograph was a relatively straightforward two-register chronograph in the family. Far simpler than their perhaps better known high complication ‘Tri-Compax,' the Compur were still offered with a variety of cases and dial variants and utilized in-house Universal Genève calibres.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eThis particular Reference 22445 is amongst the finest we have ever seen. Dating to circa 1941, the 37mm stainless steel case remains in unpolished condition, with nice symmetrical lugs, square pushers, and a snapback caseback. Inside, unlike so many Compurs out there, this one not only features a stunning glossy black dial, but one in fantastic condition. Beautifully preserved throughout, the surface is largely clean and devoid of any major wear or moisture incursion, with excellent text, 'concentric' finishing within the subsidiary registers, attractive patinated numerals, and a beautifully matching 'kite' handset. This piece is powered by UG's manual-winding Cal. 287.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#555555\"\u003eExamples in condition like this with a desirable configuration simply do not surface on the open market all that often... and with the recent re-launch of the brand, collectors seem to be holding on to pieces like this, making for a great opportunity to grab this one.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oliver \u0026 Clarke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67591019430205,"sku":"OC3340","price":16450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0765\/6138\/3741\/files\/UG_COMPUR_BLK_STRAP_WEB_1.jpg?v=1790719130"}],"url":"https:\/\/oliverandclarke.com\/collections\/vintage-universal-geneve-watches.oembed","provider":"Oliver \u0026 Clarke Vintage Watches","version":"1.0","type":"link"}