Universal Geneve Watches On Ebay

Posts
3,258
Likes
7,732
Hey guys! This one just came up on my local market in Romania! The guy asks for €3k..I am trying to get more information from him and maybe some more pics! What do you think?

it would help to know the reference number. The lume application looks a bit dodgy, not sure if that's original or not? the chrono pusher buttons also looks a bit loose in the case? Crown is later replacement. Anyhow if it's an oversized cal 287 in a SS case, seems like a pretty good price. Obviously a little dial damage between 7 and 8. Anyhow if the mvmt looks good, and the case reference checks out, I think the lume is probably the main question for me.
 
Posts
43
Likes
205
An ebay seller I have bought UG parts from prior has a set of rare parts that he wants to sell as a package to me. I have no need for the following, but thinking about buying the whole lot if others are interested in these:

3 links of GF bracelet
2 pushers for clapton
1 hour hand for evil nina or space compax
1 red second hand for every V72 compax (evil nina and exotic)
1 small black second hand for nina and exotic
1 long second hand for nina and exotic
2 blue small hands for space compax
3 small black hands (hours minutes and seconds) for exotic and evil nina
 
Posts
5,569
Likes
8,658
aap aap
Thoughts? 🍿
Customised original dial. And why is that website so slow
 
Posts
631
Likes
7,311
another one of these mesh bracelets on ebay, I think that's at least four of them now. they don't have normal UG markings on the back of the clasp, which is a bit odd compared to other examples, but it seems a cheap item for someone to be faking?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233963816643

that one's mine, have had this bracelet for ~15 years, it came from a long forgotten watchmaker storage, nothing in the lot was new or recent.
it's not laser engraved.
it is marked Finesse which was a usa "watch attachment" manufacturer.
it was common for usa bracelet mfrs to produce bands for rolex, omega, ug, and many other usa/north american market watches.
it's my understanding that was because of tariffs.
i see one other listed on ebay, the promoted listings make it appear that there are 2 listings for each, but there are only 2 bracelets listed.
mine's nos, the other one is used.
Edited:
 
This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.
Posts
3,258
Likes
7,732
that one's mine, have had this bracelet for ~15 years, it came from a long forgotten watchmaker storage, nothing in the lot was new or recent.
it's not laser engraved.
it is marked Finesse which was a usa "watch attachment" manufacturer.
it was common for usa bracelet mfrs to produce bands for rolex, omega, ug, and many other usa/north american market watches.
it's my understanding that was because of tariffs.
i see one other listed on ebay, the promoted listings make it appear that there are 2 listings for each, but there are only 2 bracelets listed.
the other one is used.

nice to see you here on OF, I've bought a few things from you before from Ebay. I agree, I think the items are authentic. I had one myself, that I got on ebay, and never had a use for it, sold to another member here on OF at cost, but they said it was fake and I had them return it.
 
Posts
631
Likes
7,311
nice to see you here on OF, I've bought a few things from you before from Ebay. I agree, I think the items are authentic. I had one myself, that I got on ebay, and never had a use for it, sold to another member here on OF at cost, but they said it was fake and I had them return it.

thank you!
as time goes by things get forgotten or mythologized.
"always" and "never" hinder all fields of collecting.
it's unfortunate that anomalies are often "corrected" to a catalog or are labeled as fakes.
the opposite can be true tho: counterfeit aquadive 709 watches are offered via ebay with authenticity guarantee....will it one day be forgotten that they're fakes?
Edited:
 
Posts
1,384
Likes
2,928
nice to see you here on OF, I've bought a few things from you before from Ebay. I agree, I think the items are authentic. I had one myself, that I got on ebay, and never had a use for it, sold to another member here on OF at cost, but they said it was fake and I had them return it.


Just resurrecting this one and for the benefit of the members of the forum ...



1018930-e821566024073be7aee54876ce8bc124.jpg
Edited:
 
Posts
631
Likes
7,311
Just resurrecting this one and for the benefit of the members of the forum ...



1018930-e821566024073be7aee54876ce8bc124.jpg

very interesting, perhaps the seller had it made to replicate an original.
That bracelet is different than mine and the other that is on ebay.
would be nice if whoever wrote that or the person that had that one made would provide the details to clear this up once and for all.
i'm as interested as everyone to know for certain.
the one I have is not for sale until and unless there's more info.
i don't want sell something that's not as it should be or for anyone to be disappointed..
i'm happy to post clear close-up pictures if that'll help.
Edited:
 
Posts
1,384
Likes
2,928
To be perfectly honest, I would not expect this kind of shoddy workmanship from UG, some of the tell-tale signs can be seen on Bgrisso's bracelet as well. Judging by depth and irregularity of the cut, I think the engraving was probably done by hand and chisel following a pattern previously drawn on buckle!

Timedofplenty bracelet


bgrisso bracelet
Edited:
 
Posts
631
Likes
7,311
To be perfectly honest, I would not expect this kind of shoddy workmanship from UG, some of the tell-tale signs can be seen on Bgrisso's bracelet as well. Judging by depth and irregularity of the cut, I think the engraving was probably done by hand and chisel following a pattern previously drawn on buckle!

Timedofplenty bracelet


bgrisso bracelet

from what i see in this thread:

UG Mesh Strap | Omega Forums

that is not the bgrisso bracelet, isn't it the one that you've noted above that some has admitted to making?

note the "mesh" stamping on the clasp.
The Finesse bracelets are smooth, sure looks like the logo is stamped, there's a ghost on the inside of the clasp.

Edited:
 
Posts
3,258
Likes
7,732
Just resurrecting this one and for the benefit of the members of the forum ...



1018930-e821566024073be7aee54876ce8bc124.jpg

where is this above example from ? As noted, it's not exactly the same as the one I had or the one from @timesofplenty (due to the mesh stamping on the clasp). Not sure if that detail is important or not?

Maybe @Mazoue can weigh in with whatever info he might have......
 
Posts
1,384
Likes
2,928
It is pointless going on with this thread. The issues are clear. The bracelet (both of them) are not US or Swiss UG fittings and both are inscribed not stamped. The irregularities in depth (red) and symmetry (blue) which is completely out clearly point to someone having a go. The only US bracelets that to date have been identified as being fitted to UGs are champion US bracelets which are a completely different style. The link you point to is likely to be a US clasp that has been fitted to that style of bracelet (not original). Sorry, but that is really all there is to say.

 
Posts
3,258
Likes
7,732



😜 In all seriousness, I don't have some horse in this race, I don't even have the bracelet any more and it was under $100, so it's no matter to me. But I haven't seen conclusive evidence yet IMO. The fact that it's marked USA not swiss doesn't suggest something to me. And the quality of the logo at that level of magnification, I'm not sure that's definite either? Maybe, maybe not. IIRC I think we've seen these same bracelets with the fat U logo also? Not sure what that might suggest? Anyhow, just gathering info..........
 
Posts
1,384
Likes
2,928
The milanese bracelet on a 70s UG ... Note logo is stamped from inside to outside.

gaet50by2bq71.jpg