Although solid gold cases were widely produced by UG, I must reckon they've never been my primary hunting focus until I found this one It seems this particular case type was launched in the 30s within the Compur range with the reference 12420 with a 34 mm diameter The same case type was enlarged to a 37 mm diameter to become a Compax case ref 12510 Serial 811XXX dates it from 1941/42 Powered by the larger 287 Cal. The inner case back shows the hammer head engraving number 166, a quick look at the Sala's book allows to learn this case has been made by Henri Jeanneret located at Peseux The striking detail to my eyes are these lugs I would call "faceted" The dial finish is silvered I love it at wrist, in the classic way or with something more unusual Best, Laurent
Beautiful watch and equally beautiful photographs. Looks great on a green NATO. Only you could have thought of that. Now we all want one and a green NATO. regards Paul www.heuerworld.com
Please don't post things like this again. There is a risk that you may sway me to UG (the "dark side"). I think it's a bit late for me though!
Thanks all for your kind words Many collectors friends asked me if this one was an officer chronograph. I obviously do not have a clue, the NATO was a wink as the only answer I was able to provide, it'll be back on this one as the result was satisfying and a good way to enjoy the lugs
As I told you many many times before, this is my absolute favorite UG. And you also know what my most prefered in your collection is ;-) Enjoy it... I'm sure you will.
very fine example, as I have come to expect from you. This is one of those cases that all but the expert hand ruins promptly with polishing - there are many examples with sad, formless lugs, a few with the facets preserved, and this one, which stands alone. Here's a smaller cousin, a Zenith time-only in a similar case with a nifty sandwich dial. It's interesting that it comes from the same casemaker - Henri Jeanneret of Peseux. I wonder if this was a "house specialty."
Thanks to both of you Lou, this Zenith is a remarkable piece, it retains what I believe to be the very original sketch of these cases with their flat bezel, condition on this one is outstanding, the sandwich dial is a terrific cherry on the cake. I assume this one is somewhere near 33/34 mm diameter ? The inner case back engraving is an interesting detail confirming these come from the same case maker. Another Zenith "over-sized" case with the same lugs is shown in the Sala's book with ref 12517 but comes with another bezel type, perverting the purity of the original design IMO Credit : Sala's book Credit : Watchprosite This is typically the kind of case where condition makes the watch, when this one landed, I had the feeling this was a scarce case type until I realized I crossed this one many time in Sala's book without noticing it were the same lugs, here with a thin bezel Credit : Sala's book A close look in the manufacture archives pictures allow to see many others case references with the same lugs. Going further, I crossed others like this late split seconds Eberhard (unfortunately, no inner case back photo available) Credit : vintagewatches.it shown in this mid 60s brochure Credit : Nicolas1960 There are others gold cases, I've also found this interesting steel case IWC Cal.83 chronometer and to conclude these lugs type overview, the early Compur was advertised in the 90s Antiquorum UG auction catalog as having been made on special order from Hermes (notice the lugs are called "lapidated" here) but this does not bring much IMO with the exception of a mystery or a questioning addendum for an auction... The sole certainty I have with this Hermes topic is these are no real Hermes watches, it seems they all came out from the prestigious house with an additional serial number that was the Hermes internal inventory number
A fantastic watch and beautiful lugs. Here is another with the slanted type bezel that looks like the Zenith above.
I just re-read this thread again and can't believe that no one called DIBS on it yet...So...DIBSSSS...
I have a 1935 Hermes UG Compur with this case and lugs (37mm). The inside is marked a little differently, with an owl hallmark. I think it's a French assay mark. The owl also appears on the bottom of the lug. I assume it's 18K, but never tested it. I understand Hermes only did UGs in 18K or stainless.
