Forums Latest Members

SOLD Universal Geneve Polerouter - Cal. 138 SS - Ref. 20217-5

  1. sjg22 Sep 24, 2018

    Posts
    879
    Likes
    2,880
    For sale is a Universal Geneve Polerouter from 1955, released within the first year of production of the Polerouter.
    54EB5E77-66F5-44B2-8D78-6742BFE1CCBA.jpeg
    Brand: Universal Geneve
    Reference: Polerouter S 20217-5
    Year of Manufacture: 1955
    Movement: Cal. 138 SS
    Case material: Stainless steel
    Case size: 35mm

    This is the definition of an “honest watch” – it features original dial, crown, crystal, hands and the case is in original, unpolished condition.

    A5E29C13-FD79-49D9-8CA6-220AEFE16144.jpeg

    The dial has patinated throughout – lume is all present and has faded to charcoal. The dial printing remains clear and legible.

    Designed by Gerard Genta for use by the SAS Air Crews during their polar route voyages between Europe and the United States (with a stop for refueling in my birthplace of Winnipeg, Canada!).

    This example is a reference 20217-5, which features a light coloured dial with two lume dots at 12 o’clock and wide indices on the internal bezel, all of which are correct for “Polerouter” versions of this reference (as opposed to the “Polarouter” versions).

    918FB571-7DF0-4874-807B-4FC25CD49A49.jpeg

    The stainless steel case, with its lovely flame lugs as featured on the early Polerouters, looks un-polished and has dings on the bezel showing 63 years of use. These can be repaired, but I prefer the originality so have left entirely as-is.

    EA88DF14-17B9-487A-93CC-A13C59C98DEA.jpeg D114F3D2-0817-4A6B-ABA9-FC6B7C4081B4.jpeg 0E8F29ED-3DD8-43B3-80AF-8628E5A0A11D.jpeg B94A78D0-83A3-470C-A5DC-49091E7E6A9E.jpeg

    The Cal. 138 SS bumper movement winds using an oscillating weight that rotates 315 degrees between two spring-action shock absorbers, commonly referred to as “bumpers”.

    02E6257D-D04F-48EB-AE68-3D52461D5861.jpeg 4DCC16EE-AD92-4C7D-BFDC-3A1315F598F6.jpeg

    The caseback engravings are deep and crisp, evidencing the Universal Geneve logo, the reference number and the serial number (17726XX).

    3EF89666-60DE-4168-BCE0-39627A972026.jpeg 48379BC3-7767-49C8-B7FD-6FA2F9E82FB1.jpeg

    The watch runs and keeps time, however service history is unknown. This watch represents a great gateway into UG and Polerouter ownership.

    Non-original black strap included in sale.

    Price: $750USD OBO, including shipping in the CONUS – shipping available elsewhere at actual cost. Payment via wire transfer, however PayPal accepted from known members.

    6EA6B447-A899-49EA-8BDA-D5F5CAC12026.jpeg

    This watch is being sold from my personal collection – I’m in the process of buying a house and I’ve got some incomings to off-set, so I’m in the process of consolidating - I’m currently selling a Polerouter Jet as well. One of my recent incomings is yet another Polerouter, so these two have ended up on the chopping block. Returns aren’t accepted unless the watch has been grossly misrepresented.
     
    GuiltyBoomerang, valjoux72 and aap like this.
  2. sjg22 Sep 24, 2018

    Posts
    879
    Likes
    2,880
    Sold.

    Thanks for the space OF
     
    Edited Sep 24, 2018