How does this Day date polerouter look? *Update*

Posts

535

Likes

854

drhombus24

·Sep 22, 2019

Hello all. I recently found this watch for sale and am intrigued. I tried looking for similar pieces and found one here: https://theoandharris.com/shop/vintage-watches-sold/universal-geneve-polerouter-day-date/

And a gold version here: https://www.chrono24.com/universalg...ter-14k-gfd-case-daydate-36mm--id11239233.htm

I just wanted to know if anything looks off with this watch or if it looks overly polished. Thank you

Edited: Sep 25, 2019

 

Posts

5,082

Likes

15,706

DaveK

·Sep 22, 2019

Can you ask the seller for some movement pictures?

 

Posts

535

Likes

854

drhombus24

·Sep 22, 2019

Have asked. Will post a photo if I get it. Based on the Theo and Harris ad, I believe it should have a cal 72.

edit: Seller will be taking it to a watchmaker tomorrow for pics

 

Posts

5,082

Likes

15,706

DaveK

·Sep 22, 2019

Wait, did Theo and Harris start posting movement shots? That would be welcomed 😀

 

Posts

535

Likes

854

drhombus24

·Sep 22, 2019

Unfortunately no. This was just written at the bottom of the post. Pigs aren’t flying yet

 

Posts

407

Likes

1,068

CafeRacer

·Sep 23, 2019

Looks nice enough - might be a US-market model since the case material is written in English on the outside "Stainless Steel"... have to check for an import code and jewelling nr on the movement.
Based on the reference number, it should have a caliber 72... (872102...)

 

Posts

948

Likes

2,313

Carlton-Browne

·Sep 23, 2019

There is at least one White Shadow case style with brushed, rounded edges as well and they often have the same appearance of being poorly refinished. I'm assuming this is a product of poor light/bad photos and I hope they look better in the flesh; I suspect that, bar the odd scuff, the case is in fairly original condition.

 

Posts

535

Likes

854

drhombus24

·Sep 25, 2019

Movement photos:

 

Posts

36

Likes

51

watch72

·Sep 25, 2019

That is a beautiful movement. Looks pristine. Thanks for showing.

 

Posts

535

Likes

854

drhombus24

·Sep 25, 2019

I told myself I would show restraint. That is, until I saw the movement photos. And well... I couldn’t resist. Will post pics when it arrives. In the meantime if anyone sees anything off please let me know. Thank you for all the help

 

Posts

3,619

Likes

8,374

bgrisso

·Sep 25, 2019

It's always nice to see a microrotor caseback without circular marks 😉

 

Posts

74

Likes

174

aginoz

·Sep 28, 2019

Saw the watch and was too slow on the trigger - congrats on a good find. Pls post the pics when it comes in.

 

Posts

535

Likes

854

drhombus24

·Sep 30, 2019

So I’ve received the watch and noticed a few issues. First, the watch runs, but the minute or hour hand doesn’t move. It will when I adjust it with the crown, but the watch has been stuck at the same time for the last few hours. Second, I can’t seem to change the day in the day date indicator. For reference I paid about 500$ for this watch. I know this probably isn’t the most collectible ug, but would I be better off financially returning it or having it serviced. I certainly don’t want to lose money if I find I don’t like it later. Also, how does the case look from these pictures? Thanks

 

Posts

13,740

Likes

53,616

Larry S

·Oct 1, 2019·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.

A service will set her right. You always should budget for one with vintage.

 

Posts

214

Likes

424

Verdi

·Oct 9, 2019

Any vintage watch I buy I service.
Only exception is if the seller shows me a service receipt less than a year old and watch works fine.

Very often, setting lever spring is broken on vintage pieces.
I would not return. These malfunctions are somehow normal on a vintage watch that has not been serviced in decades.

Case looks very good and so it the rest of the watch. A day date is just everything you need in a watch. At 500 bucks you win, even if you spend another 200 on a service!

Edited: Oct 9, 2019

 

Posts

948

Likes

2,313

Carlton-Browne

·Sep 23, 2021

I agree that the price of a service should be factored in with the purchase of any vintage watch. In my experience, spares for the cal 72 are not that easy to come by and I needed to buy a donor movement (as the watch was already with my watchmaker I put myself under, perhaps, a bit of needless pressure so definitely overpaid). The movement was equally in pristine condition apart from a cannon pinion.

I'd still go ahead with the service but I'm a bit puzzled with "if I don't like it later" comment. You have the watch in hand so surely you have enough data to work this out?