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Early Polerouter Case Back Markings

Mazoue
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The case reference number for an early Polerouter with the Cal 138ss bumper movement is most often preceded by an "S" (e.g. S 20217-4) but it can also be preceded by an "H" (e.g. H 20217-4) or have no prefix at all.

Does anyone know what these letters, or the absence of them, signifies? Apologies if this has been covered before or is obvious.
 
Mlafra
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I have absolutely no idea, but I follow with great interest this discussion!
 
Mazoue
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Thanks, hopefully someone knows or can work it out. It would be odd if we've all seen the "S" prefix without questioning it.

The "H" prefix is definitely less common. I happen to currently have an example with an"H" so have added photos of back and front below. A brief web search suggests that the "H" models tend to be later as this one is with serial 1,827,xxx.

H20217-4.jpg IMG_4171.jpg
 
Vitezi
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Mazoue Mazoue
Does anyone know what these letters, or the absence of them, signifies?
Were all Polerouter cases made by Huguenin Freres? Any correlation between "H" for HF cases, versus "S" for, say, standard cases?
 
Mazoue
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Vitezi Vitezi
Were all Polerouter cases made by Huguenin Freres? Any correlation between "H" for HF cases, versus "S" for, say, standard cases?

It's a possibility but I had assumed that there are so many "S" cases that some of them must be HF cases.

- Does anyone have an "S" case that is stamped HF inside the case back?

- Does anyone have a case without "H" or "S" that is stamped HF inside the case back?

- Does anyone know who made the early Polerouter cases that are not made by Huguenin Freres?
 
Mazoue
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I've managed to find some Polarouters with HF cases that are not marked with either "H" or "S":
https://omegaforums.net/threads/universal-geneve-polarouter.71147/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/early-polarouter-back-from-spa.36831/page-2

My black dialled SAS Polarouter also has an HF case and is not marked with either an "H" or "S".

My working theory is as follows:

- Early Polarouters are not marked with either an "S" or "H" but all have HF cases
- Later Polarouters and Polerouters (say serial after 1,710,xxx) are marked with either an "S" or an "H"
- "H" cases are HF cases. "S" cases are not HF cases.

Does anybody own or know of a watch that is an exception to this rule?
 
Diabolik
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I am not sure what you are trying to prove (but admire your drive and perseverance). However, the one you refer to as the Black SAS polarouter (assuming it is the one that has been discussed) is a very odd watch. A redial does not make it an SAS of which there are very few and none are black. Therefore calling it a polarouter SAS is a little bit mis-leading especially for the less knowledgeable members of the forum that could well take such statements as proof that they exist.

I have a very good and knowledgeable UG contact that I will be seeing shortly. He specializes in 40s, 50s references. I will ask the question about case markings and see if he can shed any light on this subject.
 
Mazoue
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I am trying to determine what the "S" or "H" signifies that often precedes the case reference on bumper Polarouters/Polerouters. @Vitezi suggested that it indicates whether the case is an HF case or not and I think he is right. I have set out my working theory above. Any insight your contact could provide would be much appreciated.

If you wish to comment on my black dialled SAS Polarouter, please do so here
https://omegaforums.net/threads/sas-polarouter-black-dial.66263/page-8
I would welcome your thoughts in light of the mounting evidence.
 
Mazoue
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I was hoping to get your informed comments and opinion on the evidence that I had provided.

Are you able to offer anything more meaningful than an emoji?
 
chronoboy64
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In case that we are still within the headline of this thread I want to add one comment.
My Polerouter 20357-1 with pat. pending 215 microtor has a HF case an no "H" or "S". But the reference and serial numbers are engraved between the lugs at 6 on not on the caseback. So may be this is another issue.
 
Mazoue
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chronoboy64 chronoboy64
In case that we are still within the headline of this thread I want to add one comment.
My Polerouter 20357-1 with pat. pending 215 microtor has a HF case an no "H" or "S". But the reference and serial numbers are engraved between the lugs at 6 on not on the caseback. So may be this is another issue.

Many thanks. My original thread was about Polarouters and Polerouters with the bumper Cal138ss movement. I am not sure that you see an "H" or "S" prefix to the case references beyond these models.

As much as I would love to consider a far larger sample of Polerouters, there are only so many hours in the day!
 
FREDMAYCOIN
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Mazoue Mazoue
Many thanks. My original thread was here is my recent acquisition habout Polarouters and Polerouters with the bumper Cal138ss movement. I am not sure that you see an "H" or "S" prefix to the case references beyond these models.

As much as I would love to consider a far larger sample of Polerouters, there are only so many hours in the day!
 
FREDMAYCOIN
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My latest acquisition has a prefix S in the serial number and a hf stamp in the case back.
 
59A92580-5513-4896-A907-F747C1A17913.jpeg DB7E1BFC-1FD7-4511-84DA-AFDA75C95F59.jpeg
Mazoue
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Thanks. That has surprised me, as I had looked at a large number of examples and not found another "S" with an HF case.

Back to the drawing board.
 
Mazoue
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Interestingly (for me at least !), this is the only bumper Polerouter I've seen to date that has an "S" prefix to the case reference and HF stamped inside the case back denoting a Huguenin Freres case.

Does anyone else own or know of a watch with similar markings?
 
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