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Universal Geneve “Bath Tub Original Guarantee Booklet Ref 842133, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Universal Geneve “Bath Tub Original Guarantee Booklet Ref 842133, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Universal Geneve (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 34 mm
Stock no.
W-2708
Credit line
Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2708)
Catalogue title (original)
Universal Geneve “Bath Tub" Original Guarantee Booklet Ref 842133 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2708), this is a wristwatch by Universal Geneve, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 34 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

This is a great looking watch by esteemed watchmaker Universal Geneve. Nicknamed the Bath Tub, these watches are convex and oval shaped watches that sit on the wrist beautifully. And the dial is so cool…like a brown mirror on your wrist! The case measures 43x34mm and has hidden lugs. The case remains in lovely condition. The brown copper dial has a mirror-like finish with simple white painted markers and no-lume stick hands. The watch is accompanied by its original guarantee papers that state it was sold in 1979 and we have fitted the watch with the pictured leather strap that has a UG buckle. The Universal Geneve manual wind movement has been fully checked and regulated by our watchmaker. This is an unusual yet very wearable watch that we know you’ll love. Pease get in touch to discuss it some more! Specifications: - UG Bath Tub Reference 842133 - 43 x 34mm steel case - Serial 298xxxx dates to the 1970s - Copper brown “mirror” dial - UG manual wind movement - Original guarantee booklet stating 1979 sale - Comes on pictured strap with UG buckle - Fully checked by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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