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G___
·Because OF seems to have the best UG forum, I decided to post this here. This is an edited version (and possibly condensed) of posts that first appeared on https://canwatchco.ca/ and WUS. As of writing this, the project is complete (yas!) and I'll probably post in stages due to time and space considerations. I'm wearing the beautiful and finished watch to an xmas even dinner in less than an hour, any excuse to break out this UG!
Post 1: End of June, 2025
A thread to document an ongoing project from an estate sale:
The Buy-Side
I have an auction problem. I like deals, I like the hunt, and I like parsing through the junk for the gems (or gem-ish). It's genetic, from my Mother's side.
I like the estate sale "dresser top" lot. Always the possibility for something truly good lurking amongst the junk like this lot of "Men's Accessories" In the midst of all the photos, a decent shot of this watch, clearly in filthy condition with an incorrect crown. No way to tell if it was running from the other photos (top tip, always check other photos to see if the seconds has advanced).
Some research shows a nice one looks like this or this and in "great" condition sellers are asking over CAD$2k (as of posting).
Pondering things, I realize the pick up (no shipping) is on a nice summer Saturday when I have a space to take a little road trip to a delightful part of the province and dip my toes in Lake Erie.
Winning bid of $70.11. Add in fees, taxes, half a tank of gas and some snacks, the watch probably owes me CAD$150, max.
Plus it came with this other great junk:
The old boy had a thing for cufflinks, tie clips (including a really cool one with a machine screw on it) and some other watches. Also included: a Hamilton Electric (505 movement) and a vintage Solar (an Eaton's house brand) with a Swiss movement (sadly not a Solar Oyster aka store-brand Rolex).
Filthy But Kinda Runs
The UG was filthy, runs (but not well) when wound and had been worked on (incorrect crown):
Microtor-less....
Yes, the UG micro-rotor is know by the trade name "Microtor".
Popping it open revealed a fun fact:
My guess, the Microtor wore out and went bad a some point in time (pre-internet) when it was hard to track down Microtor parts and (in the area it came from) there wasn't a watchmaker who could get those parts.
Fortunately, the authoritative Pole Router site has a fantastic article about worn Microtors for the cal. 1-69 and its relations:
Repairing a worn Microtor - from calibers 215-218-68-69 - The Polerouter Reference Website
With that info in-hand, I've purchased a Microtor (complete) which is alleged to be from a 215 and to fit. It is somewhere, on its way from Europe.
What is this Watch?
Described by one owner as a "Pole Router hiding in plain sight", the cal. 1-69 is most famous for that watch. This watch has the 28 jewel version of the 1-69 with the "Girocap combined settings for escapement wheel if 28 jewels", i.e. shock protection for the escapement wheel.
This is a dressier and square late 60s/early 70s version. It wouldn't have any water-resistance due to the snap style clam shell case and isn't marked as such. Based on 5 minutes of Top Quality Internet Research the reference and its relations was made in numerous dial/indices/case combinations and we can see variations to the earlier UG logo (the "fat U" logo on some of the comparison models was 1960-65 and followed by the thin U in the box).
I dig that "tiger eye" and gold combo.
Next Steps
My intent is enjoy this late 60s dress watch gem, a watch I'd never purchase at market prices.
Thanks and regards,
Post 1: End of June, 2025
A thread to document an ongoing project from an estate sale:
- A Universal Geneve Microtor (cal. 1-69), ref 869117.
- The s/n 2519247 dates this one to 1966-67
The Buy-Side
I have an auction problem. I like deals, I like the hunt, and I like parsing through the junk for the gems (or gem-ish). It's genetic, from my Mother's side.
I like the estate sale "dresser top" lot. Always the possibility for something truly good lurking amongst the junk like this lot of "Men's Accessories" In the midst of all the photos, a decent shot of this watch, clearly in filthy condition with an incorrect crown. No way to tell if it was running from the other photos (top tip, always check other photos to see if the seconds has advanced).
Some research shows a nice one looks like this or this and in "great" condition sellers are asking over CAD$2k (as of posting).
Pondering things, I realize the pick up (no shipping) is on a nice summer Saturday when I have a space to take a little road trip to a delightful part of the province and dip my toes in Lake Erie.
Winning bid of $70.11. Add in fees, taxes, half a tank of gas and some snacks, the watch probably owes me CAD$150, max.
Plus it came with this other great junk:
The old boy had a thing for cufflinks, tie clips (including a really cool one with a machine screw on it) and some other watches. Also included: a Hamilton Electric (505 movement) and a vintage Solar (an Eaton's house brand) with a Swiss movement (sadly not a Solar Oyster aka store-brand Rolex).
Filthy But Kinda Runs
The UG was filthy, runs (but not well) when wound and had been worked on (incorrect crown):
Microtor-less....
Yes, the UG micro-rotor is know by the trade name "Microtor".
Popping it open revealed a fun fact:
- The Microtor went bad at some point (see witness marks on case back) and it was simply removed to run as stem-winder!
My guess, the Microtor wore out and went bad a some point in time (pre-internet) when it was hard to track down Microtor parts and (in the area it came from) there wasn't a watchmaker who could get those parts.
Fortunately, the authoritative Pole Router site has a fantastic article about worn Microtors for the cal. 1-69 and its relations:
Repairing a worn Microtor - from calibers 215-218-68-69 - The Polerouter Reference Website
With that info in-hand, I've purchased a Microtor (complete) which is alleged to be from a 215 and to fit. It is somewhere, on its way from Europe.
What is this Watch?
Described by one owner as a "Pole Router hiding in plain sight", the cal. 1-69 is most famous for that watch. This watch has the 28 jewel version of the 1-69 with the "Girocap combined settings for escapement wheel if 28 jewels", i.e. shock protection for the escapement wheel.
This is a dressier and square late 60s/early 70s version. It wouldn't have any water-resistance due to the snap style clam shell case and isn't marked as such. Based on 5 minutes of Top Quality Internet Research the reference and its relations was made in numerous dial/indices/case combinations and we can see variations to the earlier UG logo (the "fat U" logo on some of the comparison models was 1960-65 and followed by the thin U in the box).
Next Steps
My intent is enjoy this late 60s dress watch gem, a watch I'd never purchase at market prices.
- Blow it apart and clean it (mostly done, post to follow).
- See if the Microtor complete arrives, works and fits.
- Locate a crown and possibly a stem (must do some measuring)
- Service (by a professional and not me).
- Band or bracelet?
- Wear and enjoy!
Thanks and regards,
