I'm very happy to have picked up a Mark 1 UG Italian Railroad (Ferrovie dello Stato) watch last week. To go with the Mark 2 I've owned for a few years. I'd been coveting a Mark 1 and finally made it happen. I've always admired these watches with their enamel dial, embossed numerals sticking right up through the enamel, good winding feel on the movement, relatively "affordability"... what's not to love?

The pair of UG FS watches (Mark 1 on the left):



The cases are quite different, with Mark 2-4 variants having the more 70's style ovoid/tonneau shape. The Mark 1 has a classical influence to its case shape. I was pleasantly surprised at how 'big' the 34.5 Mark 1 wears relative the Mark 2's 36mm. The dial is big enough that it feels no smaller on wrist. It might just be the honeymoon period, but I might like the Mark 1 more!

The Mark 1 on wrist:



Case comparisons:



Thanks, Daniel! I'll give it a good home!

There's a good history of these watches here on OM.

 

And thanks @Jonatan for the Mark 2 so many years past.

 

Congrats my friend! They are wonderful, and so glad you found a Mark 1. Fantastic!!

 

Congrats! These look wonderful. My mk1 & 2 say hi the crown on my mk1 is original but unfortunately the mk2 is not. I’ve been on the hunt and hopeful I’ll find one.

 

Lovely. Thanks for sharing

 

Congratulations. Here are my two.

 

Nice pair!

 

Are the dials made of porcelain like Ball Railroad Standards ?

 

Thank you!! I am very happy with them both.

 

Fantastic to see other with the same appreciation for these watches. Best of luck on your crown hunt!

I've been doing the same on my Dad's 1968 Waltham. Hard to find an original crown with tube intact. I have the old crown itself, but the tube was all corroded out and I can't convince my watchmaker to weld a tube back in.

 

Three of us now in this thread with both. Cool!

 

"glossy enamel paint" as I understand from the original OF article.

 

Beautiful watches congrats.

 

Thank you - for the compliment and the Mark 2

 

Hi guys, i recently got a hand on a Mark 1 and I wonder what value it has? Thanks!