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Just something I was shown this morning ..

  1. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    ... belongs to a dealer and it was offered to me 20 minutes ago. It's out of my field of knowledge and I've not had the opportunity to open or research it yet. I suspect it's 18k though may be 9.

    Anyone kind enough to point me in the right direction as to what I'm looking at. I suspect that I won't have long to make a decision and I also suspect that it won't be mine for less than £2000. Here's the few photos I've snapped:
    IMG_20180922_0946468.jpg IMG_20180922_0946355.jpg IMG_20180922_0946255.jpg IMG_20180922_0946154.jpg IMG_20180922_0945599.jpg
    (By the way, it's just been serviced by Swisstec).
     
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  2. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Sep 22, 2018

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    Looks likely to be original, but I would personally not buy a gold watch that has been polished like that.

    Don't misunderstand – we have all seen much worse examples. But for both aesthetic pleasure and resale value, I try to confine all of my more expensive purchases to unpolished cases.
     
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  3. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    No offence taken - I know exactly what you mean. I still think it's not been badly treated. I'm umming and ahhing over it
     
  4. gop76 Sep 22, 2018

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    Probably cal 129 (263 is possible also), looks correct (maybe polished to much) but I wouldn't pay 2k for it...
     
  5. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Sep 22, 2018

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    IMO redial alarm bells do not ring, Great looking watch. Assume 33/34mm? Yea polished but hard to avoid from a dealer. Price is silly. Half that.
     
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  6. Vitezi Sep 22, 2018

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    I understand that, as soon as you make any sort of broad generalization about UG dials, you can find an exception to the rule. :) But that UG signature makes my spidey sense tingle...

    Please offer your learned opinions on these observations:
    - the word "GENÈVE" should be a slightly smaller font size as compared to "UNIVERSAL"
    - I think I have seen flat-top and sharp-top "A" ...but can't recall seeing a rounded "G" before..?
    - l'accent grave is missing over the È (although I am aware UG was not consistent)

    I've tried to line up the OP dial (left) with another dial from the same era (right) that has more of the characteristics that I would expect in the signature. What say you, good folks of the forum?
    upload_2018-9-22_8-48-57.png
     
  7. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    I haven't got the popcorn out but I do have my tortilla chips and guac ....

    What I can tell you is that the dealer offering me this hasn't had the dial worked on. The movement has had a significant amount of work done on it, though. It's all correct (I am informed, I haven't had the watch open) but it has been at the spa for almost a year while correct parts have been sourced. I know this one has been a labour of love .... We've all had watches that turned out to be far more problematic than we expected.

    Anyway, I do not know the brand well enough to say if this hasn't been redialed in the past, so I'll happily await any and all comments.

    I have a very good idea of where he stands on what the watch has cost and so a good idea of the offer he'd accept. I will say the piece is stunning in person.

    I spent my lunch money on something else today, though .... You'll have to look at the "what did you buy today" thread to see what it was but I'll give you a hint ...
    IMG_20180922_1519594.jpg
     
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  8. bgrisso Sep 22, 2018

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    need to know case size. UG font also give me pause. crazy money.
     
  9. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    I never thought to measure the case but it's "oversize" . I'd guess at 38mm.
     
  10. bgrisso Sep 22, 2018

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    There is no guess. Only know. :)
    The case size is determining the asking price....
     
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  11. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    In that case, bear with ...
     
  12. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    I am told it is 36mm ... it seems bigger on the wrist.
     
  13. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Sep 22, 2018

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    imo we are all too suspicious of nicely preserved dials. It happens. Still that’s a lot for a three hander.
     
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  14. bgrisso Sep 22, 2018

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    If it had been 38mm that is truly huge
    36 is still big, but does not justify crazy money.
    I'm not saying the dial is wrong, just that I'm not sure it's right.
    The fonts obviously evolved over time and this is a bit later.
    Too early on a sat morning to figure it out.....
     
  15. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    Something I forgot: the crown's been replaced at service but the original is still with the watch, along with half a dozen bits and pieces that were replaced. Personally, I don't suspect the dial but I'm ready to hear from those who are more familiar with the brand. If it has been redone, I am sure it's from before this dealer bought it.
     
  16. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    I think the bottom line is that I'm going to have to get a serial number for the movement ... right?
     
  17. bgrisso Sep 22, 2018

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    You want interior/exterior case back photos to check case reference and serial
    Mvmt serial not so useful with UG, other than seeing the cal and mvmt condition.
     
  18. jimmyd13 Sep 22, 2018

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    Yes and I might well have been tempted to open her up if it hadn't been in a windy and rainy carpark. I'll follow up on it.
     
  19. bubba48 Sep 22, 2018

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    For further comparison

    Clipboard01.jpg
     
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  20. rolokr Sep 22, 2018

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    It's pretty nice, put your money in a UG chronograph, preferably in steel IMHO.