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Post your Universal Geneves

Carlton-Browne
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To be clear, a Dioramic is specifically identified in this advertisement:
Dioramic.webp

The box clearly does not match the watch so please do not try to use this forum to construct a correlation that isn't there. The hang tags and blank papers suggest to me that someone has tried to make a "set". Rather than trying to drawer imaginary lines perhaps you can share some primary evidence such as how long you know that the "set" has been together. Are they, for example, in your possession? Can you tell us where they came from?
 
skand
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Carlton-Browne Carlton-Browne
To be clear, a Dioramic is specifically identified in this advertisement:
Dioramic.webp

The box clearly does not match the watch so please do not try to use this forum to construct a correlation that isn't there. The hang tags and blank papers suggest to me that someone has tried to make a "set". Rather than trying to drawer imaginary lines perhaps you can share some primary evidence such as how long you know that the "set" has been together. Are they, for example, in your possession? Can you tell us where they came from?

I’m not claiming the watch left the factory as a set like this - I’m simply trying to understand whether such combinations might have existed at all, and more broadly whether Universal Genève ever supplied other models in Dioramic- labeled boxes in the same period. At the moment, it feels a bit inconsistent, which is exactly why I’m trying to get a better sense of the context.
If it ultimately turns out that no one has ever come across a Dioramic-labeled box in this context, then paradoxically I’ll do quite well financially- I already have some very good offers for the box alone on FB. If I were certain it was an original set, I wouldn’t even consider selling it.
In any case, this is a recent purchase, and the watch itself is worth what I paid for it, so I see this more as an interesting thing to understand rather than something I need to prove.
 
bgrisso
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skand skand
I’m not claiming the watch left the factory as a set like this - I’m simply trying to understand whether such combinations might have existed at all, and more broadly whether Universal Genève ever supplied other models in Dioramic- labeled boxes in the same period. At the moment, it feels a bit inconsistent, which is exactly why I’m trying to get a better sense of the context.
If it ultimately turns out that no one has ever come across a Dioramic-labeled box in this context, then paradoxically I’ll do quite well financially- I already have some very good offers for the box alone on FB. If I were certain it was an original set, I wouldn’t even consider selling it.
In any case, this is a recent purchase, and the watch itself is worth what I paid for it, so I see this more as an interesting thing to understand rather than something I need to prove.
I'm not sure if the factory made sets, that seems more likely done by the retailer? If that's the case, it impossible to know what any particular employee in any particular retail location did on any particular day? Actually I suppose it's impossible to know what the factory did at this point either 😆 If the factory even paired boxes (which seems unlikely, as I don't think it's a safe way to ship the watches/boxes, I assume they would need to be separated?) then it seems very unlikely they would pair the completely wrong model box?
Anyhow it's a very cool box, congrats! If it were me, I would probably hold out for the highest possible offer I could get on the box (and papers?), and then put that money "against" the watch, which would probably bring the purchase price down to a very nice level 😊
 
skand
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In the past, people didn't pay much attention to the details that are so crucial for us collectors today. I have a gold Omega Constellation with its box, tags, and certificate. The certificate and movement numbers differ by +1, and the tag—while having the correct reference number—indicates the wrong caliber. My experience as a collector tells me to remain cautious and avoid jumping to conclusions. Another example: Omega Ranchero models were shipped to Sweden but sold poorly under that name, so the agent, Brandt, replaced the dials with 'Seamaster' ones. I'm new to Universal Genève, but the same level of caution remains.
 
Knebo
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Universal calibre 138ss disassembled (in my Polerouter H 20217-1)
Instagram: @transparentwatchmaker


20260429_144109.webp
 
Seabass23
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I just picked up my first UG. Reference 842111.

I would be grateful if anyone could help me source a replacement crystal.
1777658738790.webp
 
Mister2kris
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Its hard to let this one go but I can only keep one Chronograph in my collection hehe. Lemme wear it a little bit more before i decide… lol

IMG_6184.webp
 
Libello Tempi
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66
Seabass23 Seabass23
I just picked up my first UG. Reference 842111.

I would be grateful if anyone could help me source a replacement crystal.
Nice watch! And good luck with your UG collecting.

I've had the same question as you for a while. Would appreciate if anyone could share where to source similar low profile crystals that these cases were made for. Seems like none of the large suppliers have anything similar in stock.
 
Samson
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Few from my current collection:
Universal Genève H.P.C. (1945) ref. 212209, cal. 128
This one I bought because it was so different than I had seen before, I just had to have it. To be honest...I didn't even know much about Universal Genève, but what a rush this last month or so has been. The case with these lugs are almost like Dracula teeth. The dial, hands and specially the arabic numerals changes a lot on different light and the caliber 128 is something next level....so light to use, but still you can feel everything what is happening inside of the watch. This one is definitely keeper, so via service to the wrist!

Universal Genève Military style (1946) ref. 212156, cal. 262
I had been long time looking for some old military field watch and this one was close enough. I was able to get it pretty decent price, liked the looks...so I went for it. I'm still not fully confident with radium dial and hand, specially as the crystal has small crack on side...but this is nothing that watch service could not soon handle.

AZ3I8931_edited.webp 20260717_195909.webp
 
Samson
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I was looking spare movement / spare watch for my earlier ref 212209 H.P.C. with cal 128. (Not that I yet needed one, but just in case I someday will.) So when this another ref 212209 (also from 1945 with serial just 51 off) came up with little bit different configuration, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. Buying it was a long process and took some 1,5 months, but during that time price went down a lot and when it finally came to the online store where I actually was able to buy it, it was easily on my price range so I bougth it.

The original photos were not that great and I was not expecting much, but I was very surprised how nice the watch actually was. It definitely is not just spare watch anymore and this one goes on movement service to make sure it is fully ok to use on future.

As you can see the crown has change on some point and it is clearly wrong type and size, so that definitely has to be changed. If any of you have hints where to look one and maybe any information about correct crown type and sizes, I'd appreciate it! (I will of course check if my local watch maker have one or can get one, as they are already working on my H.P.C.)

20261002_153443.webp 20261002_153449.webp 20261002_153458.webp
 
Samson
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...and wanted to thank Mark020 about this as I think I started to look for this watch after your earlier post. Also watch strap has been already changed for correct 17mm one (in case someone notices the wrong size on the photos).
 
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