Hello all, Just need a quick sanity check on this watch before possibly pulling the trigger. Have always loved the polerouters but thought most were a bit delicate for me, which is why I like the beefier super. Here’s the watch: Everything looks correct to me except the crystal does not have the magnifier window. Movement looks clean but needs a service. Case looks fairly strong. Dial quite clean. All lume plots present on the dial. Seller asking 1600 euro but will likely offer 1300 due to need for service and the lack of correct crystal. Let me know your thoughts!
Coincidentally I've been wearing mine today - I absolutely love the Super! Its just an awesome watch with a super cool, clean design. Lovely size and sits perfectly between vintage and modern in styling. That one all looks good but I'm not an expert. Shame about the crystal but better it has no window than the wrong window - mine came with the wrong window fitted and it was horrible, you couldn't see the date at all and it ruined the watch. Took a little bit of searching but I found a replacement UG crystal with the correct window within a few months... Wasn't cheap but was well worth it! Mine also has the older style thicker hands which are mostly found on the Super with a Genta ring but both seem to be correct in the chaotic world of Universal Geneve. Great watches and one I doubt I'll ever sell. I sold my Polerouter jet last week and don't miss it (yet!) but will def hold to to the Super... I was at at an antiques fair today and a dealer said he'd swap any watch he had on sale for it which was a nice complement! Price sounds a little steep tbh but I haven't looked at current prices. (photo from a few weeks ago)
...i’ve been out of the loop/loupe for some time, so please take what I say with a large grain of salt. The watch is lovely, but at that price. I wonder whether you will regret not waiting for an example with a date window? I’ll leave it to others to advise on what should be found on a super caseback (i’m Not sure whether they normally feature a nice engraved logo/shield, etc like on a polerouter).
Mine also has nothing on the back.. Sadly the UG back engraving is pretty shallow so often seems to be gone (if it was ever on the Super, I'm not sure). It's one of the only things I dislike about UG in general... The silly hard to open casebacks and the ref and serial numbers on the outside so it can be worn/polished off... Both really annoying from an otherwise great brand.
I haven't kept up to date on pricing for these but this ref doesn't seem to come up that often... I would expect to pay under a £1000 though to be honest. I'm saving for a grail watch at the moment so thought about selling mine and thought if I got somewhere near £1000 I'd be doing well - I decided to sell the Jet instead though
Granted, this person is a dealer, but the price doesn’t seem astronomical. A quick perusal of Chrono24 and eBay yielded either watches with a considerably higher asking price or dreadful condition. https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/1960s-universal-geneve-polerouter-super-869112-02 Obviously everything sells instantly on HODINKEE regardless of the watch, but that one was 1500 USD and looks considerably worse. Worn and wound’s article listed a range of 300-2000 usd which isn’t terribly helpful. https://wornandwound.com/affordable-vintage-universal-geneve-polerouter-super/
Yep that worn and wound quote doesn't really say much!! I looked at hodinkee when buying mine - they can get away with charging pretty much whatever they want I guess. ..I love to think mine is worth that sort of money but think it is probably pushing it. As an example... when I sold my Jet I listed it with links to hodinkee adverts for the same watch which sold for $1300 to $1500 - mine sold for $1000 with its original box. Don't get me wrong, I hope they are worth €1300 and the one you've found is a damn nice example compared to most but it all depends on how much you want it and how soon you want it.. Like the old saying about 'good, cheap and fast' says: you can't have all three at the same time! It's either wait and grab a bargain on ebay at some point or just spend the cash and enjoy that very fine example!
One more question: anyone else think the top right lug is a touch smaller than the top right? Could be my imagination. Just trying to think up justifications for a lower offer...
The seller accepted my lower offer...will post wrist shots once it arrives! Thanks so much all for your assistance!
I think I’m in love. I might have paid up for this one, but the condition is tremendous. Thanks to all for the advice!