OK, I think this watch & auction both deserve an own thread! An SAS Polarouter will come up for auction next month at Sotheby´s in NY. For me this is a big news, as this watch from my point of view (and maybe some of you) is next to @styggpyggeno1 SAS Polarouter de Luxe maybe the most important watch ever made by Universal Geneve. More than the 1. gen. UG Compur (maybe even the Colonial chronograph), more than every Tri-Compax, the Nina... this watch deserves a place in watch Olymp (I know, I get a bit ranting here). I´m wondering why most of you guys (and Syrte) are not thrilled about this auction or at least don´t show your excitement. Still someone out here hoping this watch will go under the radar?? Not serious... Next to the PN PN this is the most interesting watch I see on auction over the past few years. No submariner / Daytona hype, no PP superrare white gold calatrava or 2915 Speedie..., just a pure stainless steel toolwatch with a great history. Every serious collector who is not focused on a specific brand or type of watch should get high blood pressure knowing this "true grail" is up for auction. I suppose that you will need deep pockets to add this piece of watch history to your collection. The estimate from 10.000-15.000 chf seems, friendly said, not serious. I would be more than glad if the price will not sky rocketing and someone here on OF has the opportunity to keep the SAS Polarouter in "the family". But I guess this auction will find a lot of attention over the next weeks, as you don´t get a chance to become one of the Universal Geneve top collectors with just one watch.
And I thought I was excited by it . . . I feel the same as I am Polerouter obsessed but I don’t have a good feel for how excited the wider watch collecting world will be. Since this is one of their highlights from the auction, publicised before the full catalogue is released, then they must be anticipating a lot of interest. Additional photos attached that were received from Sotheby’s (Geneva not NY). I contacted them to inform that the serial number was wrong, which they have now corrected.
I've written an article about the inaugural polar passenger flights and the SAS Polarouter that hopefully some of you might enjoy. http://claremontvintage.com/2018/10/21/aviation-history-the-sas-polarouter/
Can anyone make an educated guess as to whom exactly these SAS Polarouters were given? From previous conversations, it can be gathered that crewmembers received them, but who else? Company executives? Passengers? Or were they used to promote the flights?
Your piercing analysis seems the most pertinent that is possible given the limited info available today. These few examples that surface on the market, with little provenance known, are not enough to assess the full scope of distribution of the Polarouters. We could do with a concrete database, a census of known SAS Polarouters, their type, serial numbers, and provenance. It's a shame that UG's records have been lost to history. Such a fascinating tale
If you want to sell your watch, I wouldn't bother with an auction house. Just sell it straight to me and save all of that commission
You are too kind! I want four months of extremely lewd life in a north Italian town close to the sea - for it. Everything included. Extra everything...
@styggpyggeno1 wow! stunning. possible to share macro shots of the SAS signing. its an engraving and not print right?
From an etiquette perspective, is it terribly bad form to play 'guess-the-hammer-result' in this thread? I have a number in my head and basic human curiosity wants to know just how wildly off I might be before the auction gets underway.
Engraved - but I would like to call it "hand cut" or "hand engraved" as it does not look like there has been a machine involved. No macro but a (not very flattering) close up. In life size it looks perfect...
Great photos! I notice that the second hand has no tail. Is this broken, or were some Polarouter second hands without tails? Mine (cream colored dial) originally had no tail, posted previously here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/1954-sas-universal-polarouter.3806/page-2 I have since sourced an original replacement, but I still have the "broken" one, and I wonder if it is original like that?
No, I'm fairly sure that the second hand started life with a tail. I had assumed it was an incorrect replacement but now you mention it, it is possible that the tail has broken off as the remaining portion of the hand looks to be correct. Fortunately, it's really only a minor issue as it shouldn't be difficult for the new owner to source a replacement.
The Sotheby's SAS gets a brief mention on the latest Hodinkee podcast in which they preview the Geneva auctions. Link below. Ben Clymer mentions the watch around 00:50.10 https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/hodinkee-radio-episode-18-gphg-preview
For info, I understand the watch was consigned by a Scandinavian collector who purchased the watch in the 1990s.
