Forums Latest Members

Discussion on Broad Arrow Polerouters

  1. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    2,890
    Likes
    5,960
    I think these watches deserve their own thread.

    I've been researching these models. Does anybody have convincing evidence that confirms or refutes the idea that broad arrow hands ever came with their microrotor movements?

    I have collected images of presumed lumed microrotor movements (the last might have replaced hands). What is your opinion?

    If you have pictures of broad arrow Polerouters that you'd like to share, please do so. I'd like there to be a reference thread for future use.
     
    $_57 (1).JPG universal_polerouter_ygf_broadarrow_blk_215_34wtmk.jpg polerouter3.jpg
    OHS likes this.
  2. CarSnob Beware of Swedish Terminators named Jurgentron! Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    28
    Likes
    12
    Ugh. I wanted that one that just went off on eBay so bad. I had no idea they were worth so much.
     
  3. CarSnob Beware of Swedish Terminators named Jurgentron! Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    28
    Likes
    12
    I just realized I have pictures of that second watch, including the movement and back. It's gold capped and has a Cal. 215 inside.
     
    broad arrow back.PNG broad arrow.PNG cal 215movt.PNG
  4. guillaumeabxl Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    55
    Likes
    63
    this one has a polerouter jet case :

    polerouter3.jpg
     
  5. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    2,890
    Likes
    5,960
    Right - I see that, but the lume on that dial seems appropriate in color and application and I'm focusing on the dials (and hands of the first two). Perhaps it was a replacement.
     
  6. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    12,586
    Likes
    29,837
    Here's my cal 138SS.

    IMG_2328.JPG IMG_2327.JPG
     
  7. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    2,890
    Likes
    5,960
    No opinions on the original question?
     
  8. MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    4,642
    Likes
    31,005
    My opinion is that it will be easier to confirm than refute.
     
  9. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    2,890
    Likes
    5,960
    Yeah. I think the only way to refute would be to either cite the years in which broad arrow were used or challenge that the lume on microrotor examples are aftermarket somehow.
     
  10. CarSnob Beware of Swedish Terminators named Jurgentron! Mar 10, 2015

    Posts
    28
    Likes
    12
    I've seen very few examples of these broad arrow hands, but they seem to be consistent and well done. Additionally, they all have had microrotor movements. What makes you think that these are not original? Another interesting point is the question of when these hands were used. Were there any other models that made use of these hands, or are these only found on Polerouters? Has anyone seen one of these with a bumper automatic?
     
  11. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Mar 11, 2015

    Posts
    2,890
    Likes
    5,960
    According to some (and I would be among them), Polerouters are the only known UG's with broad arrow hands and they were only done early on (or so it has been said). The microrotor polerouter replaced the bumper movement and some believe broad arrow hands were no longer used when that switch happened. There several good examples of broad arrow hands on bumper movements. The true quest is to find convincing evidence that broad arrow hands were truly used on microrotor versions or whether these are fabrications.

    To Carsnop:

    X350 XJR's polerouter posted above is a bumper version.
     
    morningtundra likes this.
  12. CarSnob Beware of Swedish Terminators named Jurgentron! Mar 11, 2015

    Posts
    28
    Likes
    12
    Ah, okay. Now I understand the issue. Thanks for clearing that up.
     
    Mazoue likes this.
  13. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Mar 11, 2015

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    24,199
    Two points:

    Contrary to CarSnob's assertion, I believe that most Broad Arrow examples were early, and had bumper movements. With regards to the two shown above, I suspect that the first is a Franken, as the dial was obviously re-lumed as well. However, I'm inclined to believe that the second may be original.

    There was overlap between bumper and micro rotor use (if not production) in the late '50s, and that those type of dials were used on both models. So it does not seem to me to be a stretch to imagine that at least some Broad Arrows were fitted on those with MR movements. In my view it would have been very odd for UG to think that somehow a certain hand-set should be restricted to an older, unrelated technology that was being phased out.
     
  14. woodwkr2 Mar 11, 2015

    Posts
    1,366
    Likes
    819
    Come again? You believe that the OPs example was a Franken and relumed?

    This one:
    upload_2015-3-11_21-28-38.png
     
  15. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Mar 11, 2015

    Posts
    2,890
    Likes
    5,960
    It's not obviously apparent that this is a relumed or fake lumed to me. Is it the shade? Is it not dark enough? Please elaborate.
     
  16. woodwkr2 Mar 12, 2015

    Posts
    1,366
    Likes
    819
    I believe the OPs polerouter with broad arrow hands and micro rotor movement to be authentic (and likely the lume is original too).

    I don't understand what @TonyC is referring to.
     
    georgetownhoya likes this.
  17. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Mar 12, 2015

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    24,199
  18. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Mar 16, 2015

    Posts
    2,890
    Likes
    5,960
    Are these lumed with radium or some other material? I am ignorant of such visual distinctions.
     
  19. bubawatch Mar 21, 2015

    Posts
    50
    Likes
    72
    Good Morning.
    They are interesting these poleroter with broad arrow.
    The material is trizio is on the bezel that on the spheres.
    It works in reverse, the indexes do not light.
    It 'a watch very attractive.
    I have an exemplary movement with bumper and guarantee dated February 17, 1961.
    The reference and '21217/8
    Ciao
    A.

    Sorry for the automatic translation!!
     
    IMG_2887.jpg
    chronoboy64, CLTMA, rahilb and 3 others like this.
  20. papaebetu Mar 23, 2015

    Posts
    418
    Likes
    886
    Have seen this Polerouter live in Parma Fair two weeks ago,
    woow very nice with a fantastic and rare bracelet !
    Pity, is small for my big wrist :(

    GIGI