NOT-Franken - Polerouter at Antiquorum

Knebo · Fri. 3:05pm

Hi everyone,

I went to the Antiquorum auction preview today. A Polerouter had caught my eye.
I'm not super experienced in judging their authenticity, but looked at the resources on this website (dial print thread) and online.

Antiquorum doesn't give the reference number and I wasn't allowed to open the watch, but they say it's cal 215.

From what I've read, cal 215 with print "Microtor" should NOT have the "Swiss" print. This one does. To make it worse, the Swiss is actually half-covered by the inside bezel. See photos. Clear case of a Franken?

Regarding lume, the hands react strongly to my UV lamp while it's on. No discernable after-glows. The hour marker dots show a VERY faint reaction. Barely visible.

Here are some photos.
I'd be happy to hear some other expert opinions!

Knebo · Fri. 7:02pm

To add, here's the auction house's description:

Screenshot_20251108_020205_Antiquorum Auction Live.webp

Mazoue · Sat. 2:07am

The title of your post seems a bit unfair to me.

The hands do look to have been relumed but otherwise I can't see anything wrong with it.

I would recommend looking at the galleries on the Polerouter reference website
https://universalgenevepolerouter.com

Or even better, buy a copy of the Polerouter book 😀
https://www.thepolerouter.com

Knebo · Sat. 2:52am

Mazoue
The title of your post seems a bit unfair to me.

The hands do look to have been relumed but otherwise I can't see anything wrong with it.

I would recommend looking at the galleries on the Polerouter reference website
https://universalgenevepolerouter.com

Or even better, buy a copy of the Polerouter book 😀
https://www.thepolerouter.com

Thanks @Mazoue.
I was less concerned by the re-lume indeed. That was just an observation.

But my Franken-hypothsis is based on this:

Knebo
From what I've read, cal 215 with print "Microtor" should NOT have the "Swiss" print. This one does. To make it worse, the Swiss is actually half-covered by the inside bezel. See photos. Clear case of a Franken?

And this particular photo:

Knebo

Nothing wrong with that?

Mazoue · Sat. 4:33am

Knebo
Nothing wrong with that?

Not to my eye.

It looks like a 20357/1 reference. An internet search should show other similar dials with partially obscured 'Swiss' text. I've included an example below.

https://www.windvintage.com/universal-genve-polerouter-black-dial-20357-1

Obviously the angle at which the photo is taken impacts how much of the text you can see. I suspect there is also some variation as to exactly where the dial sits relative to the marker ring. As far as I am aware, the text is present on all dials, it's just that in some cases it is completely obscured by the ring.

I have included a link to a service record below for what appears to the same reference (not my watch). You can see that the text is obscured by the ring but that actually it is present on the dial.

https://watchguy.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_photos&wat_id=2474

I have no connection with either the auction house or the seller.

Knebo · Sat. 5:12am

Mazoue
Not to my eye.

It looks like a 20357/1 reference. An internet search should show other similar dials with partially obscured 'Swiss' text. I've included an example below.

https://www.windvintage.com/universal-genve-polerouter-black-dial-20357-1

Obviously the angle at which the photo is taken impacts how much of the text you can see. I suspect there is also some variation as to exactly where the dial sits relative to the marker ring. As far as I am aware, the text is present on all dials, it's just that in some cases it is completely obscured by the ring.

I have included a link to a service record below for what appears to the same reference (not my watch). You can see that the text is obscured by the ring but that actually it is present on the dial.

https://watchguy.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_photos&wat_id=2474

I have no connection with either the auction house or the seller.

Thank you VERY much for your elaborate response ! I really appreciate it.
Very interesting.

I also just checked with the auction house who were so kind to put the watch on a Geiger counter and it gives a strong reaction. So radium dial - as it should.

I stand corrected and I'll try to adjust the topic title.

Knebo · Sun. 2:00pm

Fyi, it sold for 3000 CHF + 25% buyer's premium. Not to me.

cqing · Mon. 11:12am

Mazoue
Not to my eye.

It looks like a 20357/1 reference. An internet search should show other similar dials with partially obscured 'Swiss' text. I've included an example below.

https://www.windvintage.com/universal-genve-polerouter-black-dial-20357-1

Obviously the angle at which the photo is taken impacts how much of the text you can see. I suspect there is also some variation as to exactly where the dial sits relative to the marker ring. As far as I am aware, the text is present on all dials, it's just that in some cases it is completely obscured by the ring.

I have included a link to a service record below for what appears to the same reference (not my watch). You can see that the text is obscured by the ring but that actually it is present on the dial.

https://watchguy.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_photos&wat_id=2474

I have no connection with either the auction house or the seller.

Interesting, I bought this watch from Wind Vintage. The watch reference is not on the caseback. I believe it is on the case between the lugs.

NOT-Franken - Polerouter at Antiquorum

Knebo

Knebo

Mazoue

Knebo

Mazoue

Knebo

Knebo

cqing

Similar threads

Apollo Soyuz (1975) at Antiquorum

Connies coming up at Antiquorum

Omega Seamaster Chronograph at Antiquorum

Prototype Ploprof at Antiquorum

Amazing Soyuz for sale this coming weekend at Antiquorum....

Eric Clapton 881101 at Antiquorum