Poloplayer wrote this in the WRUW thread: "A new one on me I must admit - but incredibly elegant." - about my Polerouter DL bumper. I moved over to this part for the answer. Thank you! I agree and this is perhaps my absolute favourite vintage watch - and overall best find - everything considered - condition, design, price, etc. On my flickr I wrote this about it some time ago: Universal Genève Polerouter De Luxe 1955-57 A fantastic find! A totally original 18ct Universal Genève Polerouter De Luxe from the mid fifties. In perfect condition. There are no marks of use at all. Can not have been worn many times. The bumber caliber 138SS will get a service to cope with the next 50-60 years with the same grace as the first.... It has a dial marked with "Joyeria Milos" which translates to something like jeweleer Milos and might have a connection to Habana, Cuba. There is at least one known Universal Genève Polerouter with the same text on the dial and that watch also have the text "Cuervo y Sobrinos Habana" on it. Interesting and will be explored more. This watch may look like a small and thin dresswatch but looks are deceiving - this is a large watch at a true 36mm, has a screw in caseback and sturdy lugs. I would say it "wears bigger" than for instance a Rolex Datejust. PS - I wrote "no marks of use at all" - but there is an inscription on the back - very tastefully and professionally done (a persons initials and full family name). Investigation on whom it is/was is being done. This is the best vintage watch I have ever found. I might add that the family name is Swedish and it would be extremely interesting to know what the buyer was doing in Havanna at that time...
Oh my, that is spectacular. Not only is it a Polerouter, but those lugs remind me of the 1940's Vacherons & JLCs. And there's crosshairs and a jeweler brand, which I always like, and that wonderful contrast between gold and black, and the crisp, crisp case. I didn't know this model case was among the early Polerouters. It looks wonderfully distinguished on the wrist. Joyeria Milos y Quintana was a Havana retailer according to a post on a Spanish forum - I'm sure you know that already. I'm guessing its Swedish buyer was simply taking in the sun, the cigars and the casinos. He may have done very well at the latter before heading out to spend his winnings with Señor Milos.
Black and gold is a great combo for a dress watch. Lou, you forgot one other thing we vintage guys like: logo crowns. Looks like the U inside the shield symbol is on that one.
THREAD HIJACK IN PROGRESS A while ago a question was raised regarding Polerouter crosshairs. The idea was that crosshairs must be continuous on an original dial; discontinuity was a sign of redial. Obviously not an issue on your own beautiful watch, but interested in your and others' opinion. Some examples:
I have some photos of dials that I believe to be original and untouched. I do not own the rights to these photos but I think it is OK to use them. They show a part of a major UG stash and its origin can not be any other than an old UG dealership. I have seen photos of the total lot and I can not believe other than it is all "kosher". It is just to much and too old to be anything else. It is just too unlikely. These three pics show all three kinds of crosshair variants - which makes me believe they are all good. regards JE Partly: Straight thru Not at all
Well! That satisfies me, especially the first pic, which is of a dial for model similar to the ones I've posted. We know that at least service dials have crosshairs that are not continuous, and that makes me think that probably so do originals.
Yes, yes, yes! On the others, I usually look at the position of "Swiss". Should be right up against the trim ring. If it says "Swiss Made" or nothing at all, I get nervous. gatorcpa
You obviously didn't get the movie reference. Go watch "Porky's", and then come back. BTW, the producers of that film were Canadian. Consider this thread officially hijacked! gatorcpa
Hello: I do not have a Polerouter, but have recently fallen in love with them and have been doing a bit of research I am now responding to this old thread because it struck me that the discussion of crosshair breaks above and elsewhere has tended to draw from non-Date models and I was curious to see whether anyone has ever seen a crosshair that does anything but go right through the text on a Date model? I have not. I do hope someone finds this thread and will share their experience. Looking forward to it!