Universal Genève Gent's Watch, early 1940s

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

There is fire sweeping through the international collector community that can be summed up in two words: Universal Genève . Until recently, this high end Swiss brand was little-known outside of their Polerouter models (designed by a young Gerald Genta), but recently, intense interest among collectors and enthusiasts has pulled the largely defunct manufacture into the limelight - a light that has long been overdue. Universal Genève was once responsible for some of the most beautiful dress watches and chronographs from the mid-20th century. From the purpose-driven to the ornate, UG had a touch all its own and breathed incredible beauty and craftsmanship into every piece they produced. While there has been some contemporary stirring from the brand (they released a manually-wound limited edition Compax at Basel World in 2009), it is Universal Genève's sumptuous vintage stylings that have the vintage community all abuzz. The piece we have for you here is a shining example of just how capable the brand once was at producing stunning high quality gentlemen's wrist wear. Dating from the early 1940s, this simple steel gent's piece epitomizes the design language of the war years, replete with Arabic dial, subsidiary seconds, and fixed spring bars. Sized at 34.5mm, this watch wears great on the wrist and exhibits a beautiful original dial patination, highlighted by blued steel hands. We originally located this watch in the Middle East a few years ago and it has spent that time in the collection of a prominent New York collector. We were very fortunate to get this beauty back in on trade, and don't expect it to last long!