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Universal Fuerza Aerea Argentina?

jordn
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wow, a rare bird. I get your skepticism about the numerals and the Fuerza aerea symbol, but there's not enough empirical evidence to prove or disprove the dial's authenticity. I will say that the fonts used are identical to the ones used by UG and the symbol actually looks better than the examples found in Sala's book. If it is a redial, it's a pretty awesome one, but it looks like it has been re-lumed and the sweep second hand and pushers are incorrect replacements. Too bad, but perhaps for the right price, it could be a good project watch.
 
LarryG
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Thanks for adding those, Jordan. I believe the hour hand is a bit too large as well. There are few examples to compare with, but the ones Ive seen have had snub nose 4 and hooked 7. I agree, its hard to believe it's a redial, but I remain a skeptic.
Edited:
 
jordn
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LarryG LarryG
I remain a skeptic.

Rightfully so. One of the downsides of UG collecting is that, resulting from the fact that the manufacture did not care too much about uniformity, there are so many unknowns. Even with that hour hand, I think you are absolutely correct, but is it possible that it left the factory with that hand? Maybe? There are many supposedly correct examples of other UG chronographs that have this same hour to minute hand ratio problem.

Here's a watch with the same dial as the one in the listing:

689F8F74-BFD6-4A53-9D83-470FDBF6EF25_zps3xu7t84a.png 10108-MLA20024668857_122013-O.jpg

This fake case looked very familiar so after quick use of the search function, I found that this one was talked about almost exactly a year ago. @woodwkr2 Byron's thoughts on this piece here and here. If any of the Spanish speaking forum members could help us with this forum post that is mentioned, I would really appreciate it. After a closer look, these two dial types are more different from one another than I initially thought. All hour markers, not just the 4 and 7, are the thinner and taller in this dial and the font of the 'Universal Geneve' at 12 o'clock is thinner as well, but to be honest, I have no idea what to do with that information. Serially produced redial? That seems unlikely too.
 
LarryG
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I saw a black dialed one 4 or 5 years ago when I was first starting out and wasnt convinced about dial authentiicty.
At the time, 1k seemed like a ton of money for a watch I kinda thought was cool. Also thought a Bulova a-15 was intersting at $500. I would certainly like to own both those now....
 
woodwkr2
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jordn jordn
Serially produced redial? That seems unlikely too.

Indeed. These are one off pieces. I've been to the flea market in BsAs where they surface. Many correct bits and pieces, regrettably from sellers who try to enhance the value by undertaking a "restoration" resulting in franken watch.

Many of the documented watches (ie those that appear in print) have bits and bobs that are suspect too.

Hay que tener cuidado.

Also, beware the faked case number and reference. Circular graining anyone? Perhaps some diligent sleuth will find the thread where I explained this as regarded one of LouS's admitted frankens.
 
Ohmeguh
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Some of these examples look identical. Do we have any updated opinions? It sort of looks like the previous examples were made by the same watchmaker and then there were redials of the original redials..
 
doctor steel
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Hi, I just saw the thread ... this is mine.
Reference 32415 ( chromed case )
Case back serial number 1171xxx ( 1945 )
Mov.: modified cal. 285

It's exactly the watch published in Sala's book
 
Screenshot_20240226_231028_Gallery.jpg Screenshot_20240226_231141_Gallery.jpg
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