When it comes to early Universal Geneve watches, most of us are focused on chronographs.
I found an very early Universal Geneve automatic from around 1935 (Serial 591XXX between the lugs), so glad to share some first pictures with you. Missing a movement shot (in running condition), but will ask my watchmaker to open it when installing the original Gay Freres Bonklip bracelet (!!) which came together with the watch later today. The watch shares case with the very first Mido Multifort automatic from the same period of time, so the movement will be an AS 1049. This movement is a later derivat from the first automatic watch patent from Harwood. The non winding crown only sets time.

Just love the bulky case, the beautiful caseback and the amazing patina of the dial and hands. So together with the very few known Universal Auto-Rem movement this might be one of the very first automatic Universal Geneve wristwatches. It was substituted (in 1948) by the UG 138 bumper movements, which were used until 1965 in the first Polarouters too.

 

Drool ... ... what is the size? Looking fwd to a movement shot. That dial! That Case!

 

Thanks Larry,

this is a small beauty: diameter 28,2 mm, over the lugs 35 mm , 16 mm between the lugs.
The watch is 10,9 mm high, giving it more presence on the wrist.

 

I figured it was small OD ... too small for my wrist but an exquisite piece non the less.

 

Beautiful watch! I love the interesting case geometries. Can we see a wrist shot, I'm curious to see how the smaller case diameter with thicker presence looks on the wrist!

 

That's a lovely little thing. She's aged very gracefully.

 

@ MAT_ZAP Difficult to take a wristshot that shows the presence of the watch, but I tried my best. Here we are...

 

Very nice! I especially like the uncommon case back.

 

So back from watchmaker, here some additional fotos. Unfortunately movement shot is blurry, sorry.

So number in case back fitting to case number, some repair marks inside.

Now on original bonklip, unfortunately a bit short

 

Lovely piece. Pieces like this remind me how lucky I am to have small wrists.

 

+1

 

It is the same case of Mido and, probably, the same movement

 

Definitely love that case! The matching color of the dial and hands is also a plus.

 

Love it! Dibs on both watch and bracelet!

 

Universal Geneve had relations with several important brands:Jaeger,Zenith,Hermes,Eberhard,Girard Perregaux,Vacheron and also Mido. One of my Mido(serial 472.xxx) with same dial.

 

Cool ! Guys, but it would be even cooler to see the movements ! Cheers !

 

Second pic movement ! First pic of a Mido Superautomatic from1941(serial 829.xxx)

 

That is just delightful. Well done!

 

My Türler Multifort says g'day

 

Hi Dre,

wow your are pretty fast. Did you already had this Türler in your collection or did you find it after I showed my Universal Geneve here?
I just can´t wait to get my "new"/longer Bonklip to get mine on the wrist. This bulky case design is just fantastic.