So this is not the right time to mention my grandfather's must de Cartier prototype that had a quartz movement and was gold-plated?

 

Wowzers - what a stunning dial; I didn't even know the beefy lug variants came in white. The price is prohibitive for me given the usd/cdn exchange rate, but I thought some of you might be interested, notwithstanding what looks to be a replacement crystal.

http://shop.analogshift.com/collections/universal-geneve/products/universal-geneve-polerouter-date

 

By the way - did anyone figure out where the polerouter.de-guy went?

 

If memory serves, i've seen a posting here and there (perhaps even on this forum) that indicated the gentleman was ailing and, sadly, may have passed away.

Do let us know if you find out.

Also, if anyone could take a second look at the piece I posted above and give me your take on whether that's a date window in the crystal or not. My eyes sometimes play tricks on me and I can't tell with this one from my blackberry. Thanks in advance.

 

That would be sad news. So far I've only tried sending diffrent emails based on his whois.

No date window on the crystal as far as I can tell. Are you tempted?

 

Tempted, yes, but I am also practical enough and increasingly patient to pass at this time. I wouldn't be surprised if anyone here with better purchasing parity picked it up. How about you?

 

$1,500 is definitely a dealer price... Wait on Ebay for a straight auction one and you'll get it for less than half.

 

In other news, saw this referenced on another forum. Please file under "why?" or perhaps under the "Polerouter knock-offs" thread as, in a post-modern twist, an example of a Polerouter paying homage to itself: :

 

I second the nomination. Let us consider the motion passed.

 

I'm holding out for either (or all) of the more classic Polerouters, white, silver or black dial, bombe lugs, in excellent condition, and/or a nice Polerouter Jet.

But why?

 

Something I've been thinking about and would like to ask the more seasoned collectors here about, is the italians. Yes, known for sprezzatura and wonderful food, but also, it seems, wanting about 4x the market value of gold UG watches. Is that an Italian thing, or am I simply seeing more gold UG watches from Italy than from any other country?

 

I guess the further south in Europe you travel, the more inclined toward gold watches people become.
As for prices I assume there is always room for some bargaining.

 

Could it also be that many of them are jewellers, and look at the watches from that point of view? Differences in bargaining cultures could probably be important as well.

 

My impression is that several Italians are very eager and knowledgeable collectors.
UG has a very high standing it seems.

 

BASIS 1000 ...

http://www.ebay.it/itm/UNIVERSAL-GE...142845?hash=item3f5c19edfd:g:6l4AAOSw8-tWX0EJPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

What was it? It's gone!

 

Nice one, I would sure bid for it if I haven't got one exactly like it.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/272130462997?...rvr_id=981815393161&_mwBanner=1&ul_noapp=truePurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

The seller is a member of this forum as well! Care to share a photo of yours @ELV web ?