UG Polerouter Sub cal.69

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JC75

·Sep 8, 2016

Hi all

Just found this pretty nice (I hope 😟) UG Polerouter Sub cal. 69. I seen many many references on the web but none like this one, speaking about the dial / hands set.
I would be very interested in:
- the reference and production year,
- your thoughts/comments about it.

Thanks a lot 🍿

JC

 

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Tony C.

·Sep 8, 2016·Ωf Jury member

I've seen that dial and hand-set previously. Almost certainly original.

 

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gop76

·Sep 8, 2016

I think that hand-set belongs to the asymmetrical version and not the symmetrical version (as is the OP version) but it's also doubtful that UG productions at the time were completely consistent

 

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Rman

·Sep 8, 2016

Never seen that handset on the symmetrical model. The rest looks good.

 

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Rman

·Sep 8, 2016

[QUOTE="gop76, post: 537221, member: 17852" doubtful that UG productions at the time were completely consistent[/QUOTE]

The Subs were pretty consistent.

 

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Jonatan

·Sep 8, 2016

DId you pick it up in France?

https://omegaforums.net/threads/universal-geneve-watches-on-ebay.3584/page-100#post-537129
https://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1003143792.htm?ca=17_s

 

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JC75

·Sep 8, 2016

Thanks guy, so all parts are from UG but the hands set has probably been changed during revision/restoration.
Do you know the reference number/name? Maybe production date?

 

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Tony C.

·Sep 8, 2016·Ωf Jury member

gop76

I think that hand-set belongs to the asymmetrical version and not the symmetrical version (as is the OP version) but it's also doubtful that UG productions at the time were completely consistent

I admit to not being particularly focussed on the brand or model, but I believe that your final point is crucial. I tend to rely on Occam's Razor in these hazy areas, and given that the hands are completely consistent with the dial in terms of condition, I think that they likely left the factory together.

 

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JC75

·Sep 8, 2016

Thank you guys 👍
The vintage watches magic 😁

 

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Jonatan

·Sep 8, 2016

Tony C.

I admit to not being particularly focussed on the brand or model, but I believe that your final point is crucial. I tend to rely on Occam's Razor in these hazy areas, and given that the hands are completely consistent with the dial in terms of condition, I think that they likely left the factory together.

Thats why I was asking if he got the watch I posted on the link. If it's not that same watch, we have two examples with that set of hands.

@JC75 same watch or another? I admit that your example looks to be in better condition but with those pictures it could be anything.

 

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Tony C.

·Sep 8, 2016·Ωf Jury member

Good catch, Jonatan! Unless the crystal has been replaced or polished on the subject watch, they can't be the same.

 

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JC75

·Sep 8, 2016

@Jonatan We are talking about the same watch 😉
Just cleaned the case + polywatch on the crystal. iPhone picture also helps 😁

 

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Rman

·Sep 8, 2016

The dial doesn't go with that handset. A simple google image search will tell you that.
Is it possible that it is the ONLY example of this layout and was thrown together with parts in UG's final days? Maybe. Kind of a stretch.
Someone please produce photos of the sym case with this dial and handset for reference (so we're not just making something up).

 

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Vitezi

·Sep 8, 2016

Does this thread help?
https://omegaforums.net/threads/polerouter-sub-a-typology.3624/

 

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Jonatan

·Sep 9, 2016

I couldn't find the symmetric case version with these hands, but I could find the asymmetric case with hand variations. In my opinion, this could mean that both the asymmetric and symmetric versions used several versions of the hands.

As described we have the silver/orange, white and silver "baton" hands.

source http://www.polerouter.de/frameset-shop.htm

 

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JC75

·Sep 9, 2016

2 options then: either the hand-set has been changed during the watch life or due to crappy inventory management at that time the watch went out the factory in this configuration
If only watches could talk... 😵‍💫

 

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Tony C.

·Sep 9, 2016·Ωf Jury member

JC75

2 options then: either the hand-set has been changed during the watch life or due to crappy inventory management at that time the watch went out the factory in this configuration
If only watches could talk... 😵‍💫

First, the "crappy inventory" issue was one that almost certainly afflicted every high-volume manufacturer of that era. I know of examples from IWC, which was a higher-end manufacturer, in which dials from more ordinary model lines were used (with an additional logo print) on some Ingenieurs. The point being that this was not as uncommon a practice as some might think.

Secondly, I still believe that this UG most likely left the factory in its current configuration. Why? Because the hands are patinated in a manner that suggests the very same heavy use and exposure to sun as the rest of the watch. There is no reason that I can think of why the hands would have been replaced decades ago, as the earlier owner(s) was obviously comfortable with heavy signs of use.

Finally, one question: does anyone know if the dial diameters of those two models are exactly the same?

Edited: Sep 9, 2016

 

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SpeedTar

·Sep 9, 2016

Jonatan

I couldn't find the symmetric case version with these hands, but I could find the asymmetric case with hand variations. In my opinion, this could mean that both the asymmetric and symmetric versions used several versions of the hands.

As described we have the silver/orange, white and silver "baton" hands.

source http://www.polerouter.de/frameset-shop.htm

JC75

2 options then: either the hand-set has been changed during the watch life or due to crappy inventory management at that time the watch went out the factory in this configuration
If only watches could talk... 😵‍💫

I agree with you both, may be we focused too much on what configuration is genuine, the hand shape are almost identical just color change => OK!!

 

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JC75

·Sep 9, 2016

😁 thank you.
I like it very much anyway. Maybe too much questions in my mind
About the production period, late 60's might be correct, right?

 

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gop76

·Sep 9, 2016

It was told to me by the owner of a watch shop that was an AD for UG back in 60's till the 80's (btw, the watch shop still exists today, is called Universal and the shop sign is the UG logo), that parts supply by UG was always a nightmare, completely disorganized.

Speculating:

I tend to believe that hands were replaced in the begginig of his life (as part of a regular service or as owner choice) and it's impossible today distinguish the aging of a dial with 50 yo from the aging of a set of hands with 45 yo.

Anyway, it's a very nice watch...