A reference guide for various UG handsets?

southtexas · Apr 16, 2023

Hello is there a reference guide anywhere that details various handsets and which model(s) they belong to, maybe even with hand measurements?

For example- space compax hands look a lot like evil nina hands, but I notice subtle differences.

Thanks in advance.

southtexas · Apr 17, 2023

Ok here are some photos for context. I’ve looked at some reputable dealers’ sites and seems like the red chrono hand on evil Nina is slightly different than the red hand on exotic Nina and space compax (both of which seem to match each other). But then again, the polerouter sub has a red hand that looks same as Exotic nina and space...does that hand "cross-pollinate"? Just trying to figure a way to research/identify what I have.

Mazoue · Apr 18, 2023

I'm not aware of a reference guide.

I can offer a challenge to start the ball rolling - what evidence do you have that a Polerouter Sub started life with a red seconds hand?

I presume you are referring to the 204615, 869109 or 869116 references (as I'm sure you know, there are several very different Polerouter Sub variations and so it's important to be specific if we are to reach a conclusion).

I'm not aware of any evidence for a red seconds hand and for that reason, I personally think it's more likely that red seconds hands on Polerouter Subs are most likely replacements or 'cross-pollinations' as you suggest.

southtexas · Apr 18, 2023

Mazoue
I'm not aware of a reference guide.

I can offer a challenge to start the ball rolling - what evidence do you have that a Polerouter Sub started life with a red seconds hand?

I presume you are referring to the 204615, 869109 or 869116 references (as I'm sure you know, there are several very different Polerouter Sub variations and so it's important to be specific if we are to reach a conclusion).

I'm not aware of any evidence for a red seconds hand and for that reason, I personally think it's more likely that red seconds hands on Polerouter Subs are most likely replacements or 'cross-pollinations' as you suggest.

That’s a good question. I have been searching through various sites (Hodinkee, Chrono24, Menta watches, etc) to find various examples. It seems the earlier versions did not have a colored sweep hand, while 869116, 869120, 869121 seem to have seconds hand with either a red hand with lume, or a red or orange needle hand (no lume). Seems that, with the "asymmetrical" cases that I can find, the majority of them are fitted with a colored sweep hand.

Is there any reason to believe that the majority of the watches from those models in the wild have had their sweep hand changed, or is it more reasonable to believe they came from factory that way?

Also, I saw only 1 (color) pic of a polerouter sub in the sala book...it is an asymmetrical case and has a red needle hand (page 33). But the hour and minute hands are yet again different from others I've seen.

Mazoue · Apr 18, 2023

I don't disagree that the later versions with the thin plastic bezel had a painted needle hand.

The question is, did the 869116 leave the factory with a red lumed seconds hand? I've not seen anything to convince me that it did.

I would love to see some evidence to the contrary though as The Polerouter book is not yet at the printers.

I think we can ignore the example in Sala (page 33) as that photo was not intended to be a reference and all of the hands are incorrect as you have highlighted.

southtexas · Apr 18, 2023

Mazoue
I don't disagree that the later versions with the thin plastic bezel had a painted needle hand.

The question is, did the 869116 leave the factory with a red lumed seconds hand? I've not seen anything to convince me that it did.

I would love to see some evidence to the contrary though as The Polerouter book is not yet at the printers.

I think we can ignore the example in Sala (page 33) as that photo was not intended to be a reference and all of the hands are incorrect as you have highlighted.

Thanks for clarifying that the images in the sala book are not necessarily all "known and correct" examples. That's disappointing to a new reader such as myself, I had assumed that if the image is in the book, it's considered correct.

I've not seen any UG-generated booklets showcasing the models of the day, nor have I found any adverts from the time. I suppose those might shed some light on the question. It's just odd to me that so many went around modifying their polerouter sub with that particular red hand. In any event, I'm sending the hands off to a trusted UG watchmaker to measure them and provide me with what calibers they'll fit, so at least I can start to narrow them down somewhat. I want to be sure that I can properly identify them if I or another collector needs them in the future.

Thanks again for your feedback. I love this brand; the design leaps they took are very attractive to me. I prefer the quirky ones--the "exotic nina" or the exotic tri-compax for example.

Mazoue · Apr 18, 2023

Not ideal I agree but to be fair to Mr Sala, his book focuses on UG chronographs and the Polerouter image is in a section about the history of the brand and not in the main body of the book.

Larry S · Apr 18, 2023

Calling @Diabolik … he knows quite a lot about this subject.

southtexas · Apr 19, 2023

Larry S
Calling @Diabolik … he knows quite a lot about this subject.

well then let’s hope he stumbles in 😉

In the meantime, they arrived at the watchmaker today. Surely will have more info by next week.

southtexas · Apr 26, 2023

Ok to wrap this up- “red hand” set is for valjoux 23/72 so looks like space compax (or Nina hands evil and/or exotic?).

The “orange hand” set is for polerouter etc(?) (UG 215, 215.2, 218, 68, 69, 1-68, 1-69 calibers).

Thanks all.