Horological Meandering

a 1964 Polerouter single crown super compressor. 

sadly the caseback has either worn or been polished so much that the polerouter design is barely visible.

just looking at the movement you can see why Universal Geneve were such highly prized watches.

enjoy

Graham

I have an special "gusto" for black dials. Yours, looks awesome! Love it!
You are right regarding taking a look at the movement of your watch: It shows quality in its beautiful design and all those finish details, cotes de Geneve, gold inscriptions, micro rotor, and the proverbial reliability of the brand.

Thank you so much again, and I wish you enjoy your U/G so much!
Very cordially, Abel.

I know how it will end...

Best,

Nicolas

Some monts ago I let pass one just like yours Graham!!!

I didn't know it was a super compressor, the case back didn't have the scuba helmet neither,

overpolish I guess.

Had I known it has that beautiful micro-rotor caliber that I like so much...

Well, others will come.

Greetings.

René

That's why we need your help guys, otherwise we don't even know what we hold.

Best.

René

thanks for posting. It's the sort of research and passion that makes vintage watch collecting so rewarding.

Each one a little time capsule of history.

I never knew that Gerald Genta designed this watch. WOW.

... I´glad to offer an interesting bit of info with the Gerald Genta participation in the Polerouter design.
Cordial regards, Abel.

Hi Subexplorer

Great watch !!!!    I too drink from the UG well  of watches !  I try to focus on chronometre grade examples of Polerouters...  They are hard to come by...

Here is my Yellow gold Deluxe bumper , even though the dial is not signed chronometre  it is one. .
  There are two small tale-tail signs on the movement ..that it is a chronometer.
1) the word " unadjusted " is missing from the UG signature on the movement .
2) the movement has a s/n typically only 4 digits.











advert stating the rating certificate..




Then I came across a Steel bumper Polerouter that had the same movement 138ss without "unadjusted" and the s/n but the dial was SIGNED Chronometre !!!





I then found another example , not the prettiest but I like it !





and last but not least a microroter UG chronometre












Looking forward to seeing what your going to get next Subexplorer


Good Hunting

Bill Sohne

I am hunting these Chronometres from U.G... Too.

Best,

Nicolas

... and a nice & interesting tips to broaden the knowledge aboyt these fantastic vintages, with your explanation of "chronometre" movements. Didn´t know these facts, and they are surely welcomed!

Thank you so much for your comments, and may your collection of Polerouters grow!
Cordial regards, Abel.

Hello Abel

i have stuff in boxes that I purchased years ago .  Waiting for another poster to start a thread about them...  I love joining in...

On the UG Chronometre tale tails....  You heard it here !  These were my own observations over years of collecting...

Looking forward to seeing your collection grow !! I need to go on a diet !!

Good Hunting

Bill Sohne

... You are more than welcome to share some more of your UG treasures!

This one, is my only Polerouter.  Not very easy to find down here. Would love to find another. May be a diver like Nicolas´!

Thank you so much and best cordial regards, Abel.

What a great post and some very interesting details and ads.

--- I guess these Polerouters are not so common to find, specially in good condition.
They seem to be fair popular in their time, but for some reason, not too easy to come by now.
Good luck with your search for one specimen for your friend! They are worth the chase!
Cordial regards, Abel.

Great looking watch - and very cool connection to the SAS (did not know that)!

Especially for a Nordic guy like me!

 

Best

Blomman

.... connection with SAS! Cordial regards, Abel.

. . . but never knew until now that Genta was the designer.  Thanks for that crucial bit of info, Abel . . . it adds much to my appreciation of the line.

I found one locally a few years ago in a desirable configuration (218-9 chronometer movement, silver and black dial, steel case), but there was evidence of rotor wear, plus an extra set of springbar holes drilled into the lugs, so no go.  A year later, mrsnak and I discovered this gorgeous UG that shares design cues with the Polerouter . . .

. . . but we both passed as each of us had just acquired vintage watches a week or so before.  Big mistake - this one was a bargain, and, as mrsnak so aptly remarked, the movement was "so clean you could eat off it." 

Cordially,

Art

... I´m more than pleased to be able to include that little known piece of information in my post.

I also understand somtimes a collector must pass a nice piece, for some details you discover when you view it carefully, as you did.

The other timepice you show in the picture, is fantastic. Never saw that model, which somehow keeps some styling details of the Polerouter in the minutes ring design od the dial.
It´s a pitty you has to pass that one too, but in collecting, this kind of things happens. As an old friend of mine used to say: "we can´t have everything!"

Thank you again, and have a nice week end! Kind regards, Abel.

Hi Art,

Reading your quote of mrsnak's remarkable description of that very nice 218 chronomètre movement, I cannot refrain from posting a pic of a replacement movement that I was fortunate enough to find for my UG Polerouter Sub last year. I bought it off *bay based on a rather unsharp picture, but was very pleasantly surprised when I received it. I was sooo tempted - not only to eat off it... but to simply eat it. That is how delicious it looked

All my best to you after too long..

Nikolaj

. . . of a very cool movement.  I find microrotors visually appealing, even if the only substantive advantage lies in the potential for a thinner structure.  Little wonder Piaget and Patek still carry the flame   for this type of construction.

Very nice watch, and review