Pulsations Nina Question

Diabolik

Referring to catalogues without a copy of the actual catalogue (just an image) is not a good start. My approach would be to determine if the catalogue is an genuine UG publication before i coming to any conclusions and secondly, if the watch is correct. As far as I have been able to determine in over a decade, working with various Italian collectors, the information from the late sixties on, is very very scarce. The reference images on the Gavin and Crosswaithe book, although a good reference for the sixties uni-compax (big eye), compax and tri-compax references, in my eyes are not conclusive or definite proof.

Mazoue

My apologies, I should have made clear, I have seen and handled the catalogues in person and scanned them myself. These are my own personal images.

I can assure you that they are genuine UG publications.

Diabolik

Here is a catalog pic ... (grazie buba).

Diabolik

As far as I know and from original UG issued publications, catalogues and reference images (from UG archives) there is no specific reference for the 88510x/xx or tricompax 88110x/xx with a pulsations bezel.

horologic2020

While I don't doubt that UG provided customization services for their clients (the customer is always right), every bit of marketing literature suggests that 885105/02 was manufactured specifically with the pulsations bezel.

On the alphahands.com serial number project:
There are 8 examples of 885105 pieces with 7 of 8 carrying the pulsations bezel, or 87.5%
There are 128 examples of 885103 pieces with 3 out of 128 carrying the pulsations bezel, or 2.3%

Based on the numbers of real world confirmed examples and marketing materials I would suggest that 885105/02 were manufactured and marketed with the pulsations bezel.

In my opinion there's nothing wrong with models that have been customised by UG at the customer's request, or after the fact down the road. But given the scarcity of the 885105 model manufactured as a pulsations model, examples that have the original caseback model and serial numbers consistent with having been marketed and sold with the pulsations bezel on the front may carry a premium over the tachymeter examples. But value is in the eye of the beholder.

Diabolik

Bulova bought out Universal Geneve in 1967. The only original and reliable Universal Geneve catalogs and archives are up to 1967 (possibly a little later (a couple of years) allowing for continuation of business under old management as well as staff). Following the takeover there was a massive shake up. The gossip was that tons of material was dumped and spares became very scarce. Material was sold off and found its way to collectors, smaller etaches and watchmakers. In 1973, Gulf and Western Industries acquired a stake in the company, which it sold to Stelux Manufacturing Company, a Hong Kong-based watch components manufacturer in 1976. At that time, universal geneve was already making big losses and struggling. Bulova sold its share in Universal Geneve 1977 for next to nothing (considering its value at peak). Business was winding down sharply at this time due to the introduction of quartz watches and movements as well as fierce competition from watch companies (seiko being one of those) from japan. It was not a good time for UG and that is pretty clear. They had lost the edge as had many other watchmakers. Are you are telling me that at this time of change, they made the flagship mechanical Pulsation bezel reference based on an old (almost 20 year old) design ? Really ? They did try to diversify by entering the quartz market. However, there was not much to be gained there. Too little to late. You are quoting information from a period of turmoil that is likely to have been put together by who ? Bulova ? Gulf and Western Industries ? Stelux ?

Mazoue

In short, any reference material that might actually answer the question, you are choosing to dismiss as unreliable.