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Jimmy M
·
Universal Geneve Resources
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Jimmy M
·Hi Guys,
Ben here. Just wanted to chime in and see if I can offer some help re: John Reardon's comments. I do not believe he meant to insinuate that UG and PP had a working relationship in the manufacture of timepieces - I do not believe they did. I can assume all John meant by his remarks was that UG was distributed by HSWA alongside PP for a period in the mid-20th century and as such, shared some marketing collateral and points of sale - and of course used the same "HOX" US-import stamp. He, as a former long-time employee of HSWA, was certainly privy to historical information regarding the relationship with Universal, so perhaps he knows something we don't, but I would wager he just meant they shared some history here in the US. Of course, the US was PP's most important market during the earlier part of last century, and for HSWA to take on one other brand, and it being UG, certainly says a lot about the quality of these great old watches. I've spoken to folks at HSWA about my own Universals and the elder employees refer to them very fondly, and many still own a handful of them.
So, as others have stated above, UG has zero technical tie to Patek (though the Tri-Compax models certainly look a lot like the early Patek 1518's), but they do share a certain connection - one that HSWA is still proud of today.
BTW - I want to thank LouS for taking the time to begin this forum. I can honestly say it will be one I visit frequently.
Best,
Ben
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Jimmy M
·Thanks, Ben, for that helpful addition to the discussion, and yes, kudos to LouS for getting this UG forum going!
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LouS
··Mrs Nataf's Other SonIn any case, I highly doubt the existence of any relationship between the two companies in Switzerland over and above having the same company import their watches to the USA. Much like the relationship between LeCoultre, Longines and Vacheron & Constantin (which also shared a US distributor) in the 1950's.
I think there is a research article here just waiting to be written.
gatorcpa
Note - I've edited this post at least six times as I continue to turn up more information.
You've really got the bit between your teeth on this one. I tend to agree with your conclusion.
So, as others have stated above, UG has zero technical tie to Patek (though the Tri-Compax models certainly look a lot like the early Patek 1518's), but they do share a certain connection - one that HSWA is still proud of today.
Ben, thank you very much for stopping in. I think we are beginning to achieve clarity on this.
BTW - I want to thank LouS for taking the time to begin this forum. I can honestly say it will be one I visit frequently.
Best,
Ben
Thanks, Ben, for that helpful addition to the discussion, and yes, kudos to LouS for getting this UG forum going!
Thank you gentlemen, but it is a collective effort by the whole Omega Forums team. Were it not for the community, the outstanding platform and the excellent format allowing us to link freely and discuss values, none of the fora would be as vibrant as they are.
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SpikiSpikester
··@ ΩFBook references:
Sala's Universal Watch Geneve - restricted to chrongraphs (and only the ones with UG calibers at that so no Valjoux 72 models like the Space Compax), but gorgeous, systematic and an example of what a vintage watch reference should be.
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Watch-Genve-Chronographes-Complications/dp/8895684257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359686457&sr=8-1&keywords=sala universal geneve
Lou
Apparently the Sala book only goes up to the end of the 1950's and doesn't include any 60's or 70's models. Is that right ?
I read somewhere that this is because UG didn't make their own movements in those decades, but I have no idea if that is correct. Before I plunge in, it would be good to know 😀. Information on these doesn't look easy to come by !
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LouS
··Mrs Nataf's Other SonLou
Apparently the Sala book only goes up to the end of the 1950's and doesn't include any 60's or 70's models. Is that right ?
I read somewhere that this is because UG didn't make their own movements in those decades, but I have no idea if that is correct. Before I plunge in, it would be good to know 😀. Information on these doesn't look easy to come by !
It only includes those models containing UG movements - so yes it includes the 1960's-70's Tri-Compaxes (although only a few pages on these, proportional to the amount of UG output they represent), but not the Valjoux 72s like the ones in this thread http://omegaforums.net/threads/late-model-v-72-universal-compax.3644/, the SpaceCompax, etc. And no Polerouters unfortunately - just chronographs.
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SpikiSpikester
··@ ΩFThanks for the quick reply. Unsurprisingly it's the Tri-Compax that has been floating my boat, so I might have to start looking into them 😉
One last question if you dont mind: Was the biggest Tri-Compax size 37mm, or were there any bigger sizes in the 60s/70s? Unless Kyle does a wrist swap with me I'm a bit limited in the case sizes I can get away with on the wrist...
One last question if you dont mind: Was the biggest Tri-Compax size 37mm, or were there any bigger sizes in the 60s/70s? Unless Kyle does a wrist swap with me I'm a bit limited in the case sizes I can get away with on the wrist...
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LouS
··Mrs Nataf's Other SonThread coming, Spiki, but I'm afraid those late twisted-lug TriCompaxes are all of a uniform - and relatively small - size.
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SpikiSpikester
··@ ΩFThanks Lou. Perhaps I'll make an exception for these 😀
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dsio
··Ash @ ΩFHi Guys,
Ben here. Just wanted to chime in and see if I can offer some help re: John Reardon's comments. I do not believe he meant to insinuate that UG and PP had a working relationship in the manufacture of timepieces - I do not believe they did. I can assume all John meant by his remarks was that UG was distributed by HSWA alongside PP for a period in the mid-20th century and as such, shared some marketing collateral and points of sale - and of course used the same "HOX" US-import stamp. He, as a former long-time employee of HSWA, was certainly privy to historical information regarding the relationship with Universal, so perhaps he knows something we don't, but I would wager he just meant they shared some history here in the US. Of course, the US was PP's most important market during the earlier part of last century, and for HSWA to take on one other brand, and it being UG, certainly says a lot about the quality of these great old watches. I've spoken to folks at HSWA about my own Universals and the elder employees refer to them very fondly, and many still own a handful of them.
So, as others have stated above, UG has zero technical tie to Patek (though the Tri-Compax models certainly look a lot like the early Patek 1518's), but they do share a certain connection - one that HSWA is still proud of today.
BTW - I want to thank LouS for taking the time to begin this forum. I can honestly say it will be one I visit frequently.
Best,
Ben
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