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UG 22492 Pin Pusher preservation

CaseStudy
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Found this sitting on the kitchen table last night, family dropped it off as it has trickled through relatives’ hands. Haven’t fussed with it much because I know so little about vintage timepieces; yet to confirm production date.

Patina is, let’s say intense, but still charming. Unfamiliar with if or how that might clean-up. Looks to have double stamped 45s and 15s which I’ve seen on a few faces, and debated a bit here. 36mm case. Maybe a 287cal? Tiny pushers on the case too.

Only real aim is to have it function well - just joined here and saw some recommended shops that seem to service these ( Ultra-vintage, chronotek, paradise) but have no reference for what I might be getting into cash-wise, or to self-check it’s current functionality. Cheers, thanks in advance for any insights.

IMG_6692.webp IMG_6694.webp IMG_6689.webp
 
CaseStudy
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More reading here suggests service costs of $400-$1000, not sure how that would shake out in overall value added here. But it’ll surely be better than leaving it as a paperweight.

Also open to hear some of your favorite suggestions for sourcing leather straps - measures 19mm between the lugs.
 
Larry S
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Mid 40s per the SN. This watch has lived! The good news is that it’s all there and some of that grunge on the case might be removed. Bad news: It’s a plated case so lower value and some of that grunge might be corrosion. Not much to be done with the dial but it’s condition may indicate some exposure to moisture which means the movement may or may not be impacted. Basic clean up, Crystal and movement service, I’d budget 500 - 1000 USD. I’d not fuss with the Lume. I’d go with a rustic looking strap. Make sure you get an estimate before proceding with repair.
 
Larry S
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PS.. I would not wind or try to run it.
 
CaseStudy
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Many thanks, posts like yours are what keep these hobby forums alive. And thanks for confirming my suspicions of keeping it unwound. I’ll start making some calls; this place is chock full of helpful starting points.

I agree that a rustic strap will suit the theme here.
 
Larry S
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CaseStudy CaseStudy
Many thanks, posts like yours are what keep these hobby forums alive. And thanks for confirming my suspicions of keeping it unwound. I’ll start making some calls; this place is chock full of helpful starting points.

I agree that a rustic strap will suit the theme here.
Where are you located?
 
Mark020
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CaseStudy CaseStudy
Unfamiliar with if or how that might clean-up
Not. Don't try to clean it. Just a service for the movement (and of course cleaning for the case)
 
Larry S
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Mark020 Mark020
Not. Don't try to clean it. Just a service for the movement (and of course cleaning for the case)
EG: Leave dial and hands alone.
 
martinc
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Larry S Larry S
Mid 40s per the SN. This watch has lived! The good news is that it’s all there and some of that grunge on the case might be removed. Bad news: It’s a plated case so lower value and some of that grunge might be corrosion. Not much to be done with the dial but it’s condition may indicate some exposure to moisture which means the movement may or may not be impacted. Basic clean up, Crystal and movement service, I’d budget 500 - 1000 USD. I’d not fuss with the Lume. I’d go with a rustic looking strap. Make sure you get an estimate before proceding with repair.

@Larry S What do you mean by “plated case”? The 22492 is an enversteel case, cal. 287 spillino Compur/Uni-Compax.

@CaseStudy Have the watch serviced, case cleaned (not polished!!), crystal polished or replaced (careful to select correct shape). Don’t touch the dial. These pin-pusher references are relatively rare. Personally I would have the minute hand lined, but would not touch the original lume on hour hand.
It’s a nice watch, although obviously not “nos”.
 
Larry S
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martinc martinc
@Larry S What do you mean by “plated case”? The 22492 is an enversteel case, cal. 287 spillino Compur/Uni-Compax.

@CaseStudy Have the watch serviced, case cleaned (not polished!!), crystal polished or replaced (careful to select correct shape). Don’t touch the dial. These pin-pusher references are relatively rare. Personally I would have the minute hand lined, but would not touch the original lume on hour hand.
It’s a nice watch, although obviously not “nos”.
“glazed steel” from sala…see page. That’s not SS to my eye. All other case descriptions call out SS when it used. Glazed steel is base steel with some sort of coating. Typo? I am very familiar with the metal codes in UG so I was a bit thrown off by the 2 and the description. If I’m wrong then good news for the OP.
Edited:
 
martinc
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Larry S Larry S
“glazed steel” from sala…see page. That’s not SS to my eye. All other case descriptions call out SS when it used.
Bad translation: it’s “cassa in acciao lucida e satinata”, i.e. polished and satin-finished steel case. I can assure you it’s a steel case. But tends to be rusty due to moisture coming through the pin pushers…
 
Larry S
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martinc martinc
Bad translation: it’s “cassa in acciao lucida e satinata”, i.e. polished and satin-finished steel case. I can assure you it’s a steel case. But tends to be rusty due to moisture coming through the pin pushers…
Yea “polished steel” is not SS. But we need to see the inner case back. Have we discovered another oddity with UG?
 
martinc
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Larry S Larry S
Yea “polished steel” is not SS. But we need to see the inner case back. Have we discovered another oddity with UG?
This is case back of my 22492, serial 1048xxxx.
IMG_5769.webp
 
Larry S
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Good news for the op!
 
Larry S
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So @CaseStudy, apologies for Sala page misinterpretation. You have an SS watch which means all that case munge will come off in cleaning. Might be worth a vintage like hand fill if you can find a watchmaker to do it.
 
CaseStudy
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No apologies necessary! The details have been great. Original owner seems to be a great-aunt’s uncle, maybe I’ll hear more about what kind of life it’s lived so far.

Thanks for the peek of what the innards ought to look like. And the enversteel point. @martinc

Mine still retains some of that polished/satin contrast up-close.


I’ll focus on the function for now. It still enoys a nice luster and some honest wear. But what about some damage noted on the lug/hole?

IMG_6709.webp IMG_6708.webp
 
Larry S
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Can be repaired … talk to the watchmaker you select.
 
CaseStudy
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Still harvesting quotes. It has been suggested that the crown may not be original - what say yee? (Photos attached)

Also offered to have laser repair on that lug damage, is this a good method that can still preserve the surrounding wear? Same maker added they can use vintage lume to fill the minute hand. Torn on if I should leave it empty or not.

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