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30th October 2024 - Universal Genève is Back !

Diabolik
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Carlton-Browne Carlton-Browne
That is not good news for collectors! I want to be able collect more of the f@cking things 😡.
I must say that you already own quite a nice portfolio of rare UGs and have been a member of this forum for over a decade. That has provided you with plenty of opportunities. But, the train has not left yet so get cracking … 🥸
 
HamDoctor
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What was that about "only three of these will ever be made" in the Polerouter video? Am I grossly misinterpreting things, or is this reality?

https://www.universalgeneve.com/magazine/polerouter-reborn-past-meets-present-modern-tribute

I mean, if they are going to make a Polerouter revival, why bother if they only make nine pieces overall... these will disappear in some millionaire investor's safe, as an investment. In other words, unobtainium.

Really hoping there will be a "pedestrian" version as well. If they want to suggest exclusivity, they are way overshooting their target.

Then again, the "Polerouter Tribute" is apparently going to be made with a "vintage movement" according to the video (EDIT: it's cal. 1-69). I couldn't help but notice that the bridges on the one shown in the vid are scratched by careless screwdriver usage ...

EDIT: I guess I'm going into nitpicking mode, because I feel that these will be priced beyond my budget anyway. But yes, they are serious. One will be auctioned off, two will go into the UG archive. Well... hmm. Don't really know how I feel about this.

https://www.universalgeneve.com/magazine/polerouter-reborn-past-meets-present-modern-tribute

Clipboard_11-23-2024_01.webp
Edited:
 
Carlton-Browne
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Diabolik Diabolik
I must say that you already own quite a nice portfolio of rare UGs and have been a member of this forum for over a decade. That has provided you with plenty of opportunities. But, the train has not left yet so get cracking … 🥸
Thanks for the kind words - more like a scruffy bunch of lost causes from where I'm sitting but hey ho.
 
bgrisso
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HamDoctor HamDoctor
What was that about "only three of these will ever be made" in the Polerouter video? Am I grossly misinterpreting things, or is this reality?

https://www.universalgeneve.com/magazine/polerouter-reborn-past-meets-present-modern-tribute

I mean, if they are going to make a Polerouter revival, why bother if they only make nine pieces overall... these will disappear in some millionaire investor's safe, as an investment. In other words, unobtainium.

Really hoping there will be a "pedestrian" version as well. If they want to suggest exclusivity, they are way overshooting their target.

Then again, the "Polerouter Tribute" is apparently going to be made with a "vintage movement" according to the video (EDIT: it's cal. 1-69). I couldn't help but notice that the bridges on the one shown in the vid are scratched by careless screwdriver usage ...

EDIT: I guess I'm going into nitpicking mode, because I feel that these will be priced beyond my budget anyway. But yes, they are serious. One will be auctioned off, two will go into the UG archive. Well... hmm. Don't really know how I feel about this.

https://www.universalgeneve.com/magazine/polerouter-reborn-past-meets-present-modern-tribute

Clipboard_11-23-2024_01.webp
I guess this won't help you feel any better, but there's only ONE of each, three watches total, not three of each type. The white gold gets auctioned, the other two go into archives.

That would be an amazing marketing strategy, make only three examples of each product line (Compur, Compax, Tri, Aero, etc) and auction just ONE of each of those, and the rest go into archives 😀. I would almost like to see them do this just for entertainment value.

In all seriousness, my take is this isn't really an official product launch, so much as a PR event, with a few one-off examples.

I believe they sourced vintage (used) movements, so they had whatever wear and tear was already present. I'm not sure if they could have sourced NOS movements? And yes, they could have refinished them obviously, but for whatever reasons, chose to leave them as is.

anyhow that's just my impression, I haven't actually watched the video 🙃
 
CalgaryJim
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bgrisso bgrisso
In all seriousness, my take is this isn't really an official product launch, so much as a PR event, with a few one-off examples.
I couldn’t agree more, nothing says they won’t release the model in 2026 as a regular production item in one form or another. I’m betting on it (ie, just bought the Polerouter @cristos71 had posted for sale).
 
Drawrof
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Any ideas about their retail strategy? Will they make their Breitling POS multi-brand? Open UG stores? Sell via multi brand boutiques?
 
HamDoctor
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bgrisso bgrisso
That would be an amazing marketing strategy, make only three examples of each product line (Compur, Compax, Tri, Aero, etc) and auction just ONE of each of those, and the rest go into archives 😀. I would almost like to see them do this just for entertainment value.

In all seriousness, my take is this isn't really an official product launch, so much as a PR event, with a few one-off examples.
You're right, of course. And yes, the "double unobtainium strategy" would be fun to watch, in fact ;-)

I must say that "PR without a product" is just going over my head. I get that this is to get tongues wagging about the brand, and to show the continuity from the past, but it had me believe there was a product somewhere in there and not just marketing. I'll go back under my rock and reserve judgment till they have something to present.

And hey, they did show something they made, and which has a tie to their past as a great maker. So they certainly beat the current Jaguar ad campaign that has people "scratching their heads", to put it politely.
 
jumpingsecond
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Drawrof Drawrof
Any ideas about their retail strategy? Will they make their Breitling POS multi-brand? Open UG stores? Sell via multi brand boutiques?
Universal is completely separate and has nothing to do with Breitling brand except the same ownership. Separate brand sold in separate UG only boutique stores. They are thinking big.
 
bgrisso
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HamDoctor HamDoctor
You're right, of course. And yes, the "double unobtainium strategy" would be fun to watch, in fact ;-)

I must say that "PR without a product" is just going over my head. I get that this is to get tongues wagging about the brand, and to show the continuity from the past, but it had me believe there was a product somewhere in there and not just marketing. I'll go back under my rock and reserve judgment till they have something to present.

And hey, they did show something they made, and which has a tie to their past as a great maker. So they certainly beat the current Jaguar ad campaign that has people "scratching their heads", to put it politely.
We know there are polerouters on the horizon, not sure if these exact models will be released, but perhaps everything except the dial can be used for a regular release? Although I imagine they need to get the movement sorted first before finalizing those details precisely. Any new releases obviously won’t be using vintage calibers.
 
Mark020
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Good luck with that
 
paulmiami
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If this business plan remotely pans out, then a vintage PM Tri-Compax will be much more expensive than current prices. The “sporty” UGs are already quite expensive. How much higher can they go vs a nice $18,000 1990s Daytona? There are “great” brands, like Breguet and Vacheron that have a longer and less troubled history than UG that have a tough time finding their spot vis a vis Rolex and Patek. Don’t get me wrong, I’m rooting for UG, but I’m not nearly as optimistic as their management is.
 
Dan S
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paulmiami paulmiami
If this business plan remotely pans out, then a vintage PM Tri-Compax will be much more expensive than current prices. The “sporty” UGs are already quite expensive. How much higher can they go vs a nice $18,000 1990s Daytona? There are “great” brands, like Breguet and Vacheron that have a longer and less troubled history than UG that have a tough time finding their spot vis a vis Rolex and Patek. Don’t get me wrong, I’m rooting for UG, but I’m not nearly as optimistic as their management is.
Maybe I am misunderstanding this comment, but are you suggesting that the prices of vintage UG watches will be linked to the prices of the new models in some knowable way? I really don't think that connection is easy to predict. For some brands, vintage models are more expensive than modern, for other brands it's the opposite. There is some connection/coattails, but they are separate markets in general. Some companies have successfully raised the prestige level of their modern brand well above that of the historical brand. In other cases, high-end historical brands have degenerated to mediocrity.
 
paulmiami
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Dan S Dan S
Maybe I am misunderstanding this comment, but are you suggesting that the prices of vintage UG watches will be linked to the prices of the new models in some knowable way? I really don't think that connection is easy to predict. For some brands, vintage models are more expensive than modern, for other brands it's the opposite. There is some connection/coattails, but they are separate markets in general. Some companies have successfully raised the prestige level of their modern brand well above that of the historical brand. In other cases, high-end historical brands have degenerated to mediocrity.
All I’m saying is a strong brand from a viable manufacturer should enhance the value of their watches, by how much, who knows. But it should be a positive. If they can sell a simple 36mm steel watch for $17,000 then a PM vintage chronograph most likely would be more expensive. That said I think their current plan is extremely ambitious.
 
Dan S
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paulmiami paulmiami
All I’m saying is a strong brand from a viable manufacturer should enhance the value of their watches, by how much, who knows. But it should be a positive. If they can sell a simple 36mm steel watch for $17,000 then a PM vintage chronograph most likely would be more expensive. That said I think their current plan is extremely ambitious.
I think that the most collectible vintage chronographs might go for more than that, but not the typical common ones. Asking for them to quadruple in value is a big ask.
 
paulmiami
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Dan S Dan S
I think that the most collectible vintage chronographs might go for more than that, but not the typical common ones. Asking for them to quadruple in value is a big ask.
Agree, which makes the price tag on the new Polerouter more lofty
 
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