Community Stories

/01 Nina Discussion

cqing
Posts
358
Likes
1,019
Recently, I acquired a very beautiful Nina, with incorrect /01 case back. It reminds me of several examples I saw in Japan, so I did a quick research online and would like to share the result here and gather more information.

The Nina I acquired is also from Japan according to the seller. Below are the pictures.
nina_face.webp nina_crown_1.webp nina_crown_2.webp nina_crown_3.webp


Key highlights:
Origin: Japan
Case back: Incorrect /01 case back.
Dial: Printed Logo + Mid sized sub register hands.
Crown: Unsigned crown.
Serial number: 2568xxx



So I searched online and found several similar examples:


Sample 1:
Link: https://jp.mercari.com/shops/product/xgAwP6qcA9Vj3ndVnjU7D4
Images:
sample_1_1.webp sample_1_2.webp

Highlights:
Origin: Japan
Case back: Incorrect /01 case back.
Dial: Printed Logo + Mid sized sub register hands.
Crown: Unsigned crown.
Serial number: Unknown
Remarks: Exact same configuration as mine. Serial number unknown.


Sample 2:
Link: https://jp.mercari.com/shops/product/poiYo29e9cWrNBPTpVrnrF
Images:
sample_2_1.webp sample_2_2.webp sample_2_3.webp

Highlights:
Origin: Japan
Case back: Incorrect /01 case back.
Dial: Printed Logo + Mid sized sub register hands.
Crown: Unsigned crown.
Serial number: 25687XX
Remarks: Exact same configuration as mine. Serial number in 2568xxx range.


Sample 3:
Link: https://www.hasegawa78.jp/onlineshop/products/detail/3596
Images:
sample_3_1.webp sample_3_2.webp sample_3_3.webp

Highlights:
Origin: Japan
Case back: Incorrect /01 case back.
Dial: Printed Logo + Mid sized sub register hands.
Crown: Unsigned crown.
Serial number: 2568719
Remarks: Exact same configuration as mine. Serial number in 2568xxx range.


Sample 4:
Link: https://www.gazette-drouot.com/en/lots/15557468-universal-geneva-compax----
Images:
sample_4_1.webp

Highlights:
Origin: Unknown
Case back: Incorrect /01 case back.
Dial: Printed Logo + Mid sized sub register hands.
Crown: Looks like unsigned.
Serial number: Unknown
Remarks: Exact same configuration as mine. Serial number unknown.


Sample 5:
Link: https://omegaforums.net/threads/a-01-non-evil-nina-with-unusual-crown.96371/
Images:
sample_5_1.webp sample_5_2.webp

Highlights:
Origin: Unknown
Case back: Correct /02 case back.
Dial: Printed Logo + Mid sized sub register hands.
Crown: Incorrect crown.
Serial number: 2568881
Remarks: Almost the same configuration as mine, crown might be changed to a period incorrect crown. Serial number in 2568xxx range.


Sample 6:
Link: https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/...ina-rindt-chronograph-circa-1960s-box-papers/
Images:
sample_6_1.webp sample_6_2.webp

Highlights:
Origin: Japan
Case back: Correct /02 case back.
Dial: Printed Logo + Mid sized sub register hands.
Crown: Unsigned crown.
Serial number: 241XXXX
Remarks: Exact the same configuration as mine. Serial number is too early for this dial, so the case back might be changed, or the Japan distributor just use available parts to assemble these watches. This watch comes with certificate of guarantee from Muraki, the UG distributer in Japan.



Interestingly, I checked https://alphahands.com/faq/universal-geneve-nina-rindt-serial-number-project/ and all of the 3 examples recorded in the 2568xxx range has the same characteristics: /01 case back, printed logo on dial, midsize sub register hands.

I would like to gather more information on this topic, so if you have a similar watch, please share. Actually I would also like to see whether there is a Nina in 2568XXX range with correct /02 case back.

Hopefully, with UG’s recent revival, these mysteries may one day be revealed from the archives.
Edited:
 
southtexas
Posts
942
Likes
1,293
What is the working theory here, that later Ninas were sometimes fitted with /01 casebacks from factory?

edit to add: that's a real beauty you've found. I bet that dial is pristine under that scratched crystal.
Edited:
 
cqing
Posts
358
Likes
1,019
southtexas southtexas
What is the working theory here, that later Ninas were sometimes fitted with /01 casebacks from factory?

edit to add: that's a real beauty you've found. I bet that dial is pristine under that scratched crystal.
I'm guessing that the Japan distributor MURAKI assembled and sold these Ninas. The main purpose I posted here is to gather more information. I'm very interested to see if there exist any Nina with correct case back (/02) in 2568xxx range.

Yes, the watch is very beautiful. One of the sub register hands lume is cracked, so it is now installed with the later square hands, but I do have the original hands with me.
nina_face_newhands.webp
 
southtexas
Posts
942
Likes
1,293
cqing cqing
I'm guessing that the Japan distributor MURAKI assembled and sold these Ninas. The main purpose I posted here is to gather more information. I'm very interested to see if there exist any Nina with correct case back (/02) in 2568xxx range.

Yes, the watch is very beautiful. One of the sub register hands lume is cracked, so it is now installed with the later square hands, but I do have the original hands with me.
nina_face_newhands.webp
Interesting. I didn't know that finding a /02 caseback on later ninas was rare.

And yes that is an amazing watch!
 
cqing
Posts
358
Likes
1,019
southtexas southtexas
Interesting. I didn't know that finding a /02 caseback on later ninas was rare.

And yes that is an amazing watch!
2569xxx Nina with /02 case back is very common, but I have not seen a 2568xxx Nina with /02 caseback.
 
southtexas
Posts
942
Likes
1,293
cqing cqing
2569xxx Nina with /02 case back is very common, but I have not seen a 2568xxx Nina with /02 caseback.
I cant stop staring at your watch. Makes me regret letting mine go this summer.
 
cqing
Posts
358
Likes
1,019
southtexas southtexas
I cant stop staring at your watch. Makes me regret letting mine go this summer.
This is the first time I have a UG watch in my hand. I was stunned by UG's meticulous attention to detail. As you can see the chrono hands are not reset properly now. I've sent it to my watchmaker for a full service.
 
southtexas
Posts
942
Likes
1,293
cqing cqing
This is the first time I have a UG watch in my hand. I was stunned by UG's meticulous attention to detail. As you can see the chrono hands are not reset properly now. I've sent it to my watchmaker for a full service.
Best of luck to you. I hope your watchmaker can sort it out and get it running as new again. If you don't have a bracelet for it, I found that JB Champion makes some that are very nice, comfortable, and easy to size (and fairly priced!). I chose a BOR with straight ends.
IMG_4528.webp
 
cqing
Posts
358
Likes
1,019
southtexas southtexas
Best of luck to you. I hope your watchmaker can sort it out and get it running as new again. If you don't have a bracelet for it, I found that JB Champion makes some that are very nice, comfortable, and easy to size (and fairly priced!). I chose a BOR with straight ends.
IMG_4528.webp
I immediately placed an order from Fostner after seeing your picture...
 
southtexas
Posts
942
Likes
1,293
cqing cqing
I immediately placed an order from Fostner after seeing your picture...
Post up photos when you get it mounted. It’s not the quality of an original, but I felt is was good enough. The watch is just so perfectly balanced; you will love it.
 
fizz
Posts
291
Likes
548
You made a great decision grabbing this. I was contemplating it as well and spoke to the seller. The price was compelling and his honestly in disclosing all the flaws made it more tempting. While it may be hard to get an "original" /02 caseback its on the side of the watch that is rarely viewed except during inspections. The Compax (and Tri's) of this era are notorious for their reference/serials rubbing off completely so who knows how many there might be that don't have their serials visible but which may have been /01 and period correct. We can only guess....
 
cqing
Posts
358
Likes
1,019

fizz fizz
You made a great decision grabbing this. I was contemplating it as well and spoke to the seller. The price was compelling and his honestly in disclosing all the flaws made it more tempting. While it may be hard to get an "original" /02 caseback its on the side of the watch that is rarely viewed except during inspections. The Compax (and Tri's) of this era are notorious for their reference/serials rubbing off completely so who knows how many there might be that don't have their serials visible but which may have been /01 and period correct. We can only guess....
I immediately pulled the trigger after I saw it, because I've seen several Nina with 01 case back and they were all priced with almost no difference as if they were with 02 case backs.
 
Diabolik
Posts
1,380
Likes
2,919
The correct reference is /02 for the Nina and there is plenty of documentation to support that. It was not as popular as the evil Nina and fewer numbers were made. What May explain the presence of /01 cased Nina’s is that in order get around import and customs restrictions as well as tariffs, some countries imported movements and material (dials, hands and cases) separately and used local suppliers for bracelets and in cases (a good example of that is the denison cased omegas). It may explain why some UGs of the era may have incorrect case backs. Just down to using what was available.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Gremondi

Explorer 5504 dated 1959 dial discussion

Gremondi Rolex Watches
Gremondi
Gremondi
Posts
5
Views
1K
kaplan

Congrats to the 2699 Observatory Enamel Dial Buyer from Italy - and some discussion

kaplan Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Mark020
Mark020
Posts
13
Views
3K
TheGreekPhysique

NOS Ranchero FS: Discussion

TheGreekPhysique Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
gmmy775
gmmy775
Posts
82
Views
9K
GuiltunderGlass

Glashutte Original 1845 Zeigerdatum (Hand Date) 49-02-03-01-04

GuiltunderGlass Private Watch Sales
GuiltunderGlass
GuiltunderGlass
Posts
11
Views
9K
Airbus

An old discussion and a question

Airbus Modern Omega Watches
Airbus
Airbus
Posts
0
Views
1K
E2B

A discussion on the early 300m "pre-bond" 2531.80

E2B Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
E2B
E2B
Posts
2
Views
3K