Universal Medico - Double Signed Chrono...need your opinions!

bgrisso · Jul 6, 2021

korneevy
Added the movement shot and the caseback photo

I don't have time for careful study but a quick google of the case reference is bringing up some examples with dauphine hands, so I would want to see more research to see if leaf hands could be correct. It's possible the dauphine hands are later examples, and if this one above is very early, maybe it could be correct. It would help to see at least one more (or two) digit on the case serial to date it properly. The sala archives pic for this case reference does show leaf hands, so it's obviously possible. Just like to see a little more research.

anyhow after comparing to other examples, all with the tachy scale intact, I think they look more attractive. It makes me feel a bit less happy about this one, unless it was really cheap.

bgrisso · Jul 6, 2021

korneevy
Yes I am not a fan of replumed sword hands at all, and pump pushers on these Spillman cases almost always look like they had been replaced with after market, so this does not score any better on the originality than the example I was considering, and from my personal esthetical view point, looks much worse. Ideally, my dream UG will be a 38mm gold case, two registers chrono, leaf hands (no lume), and applied dial numerals - nice, clean, classy and timeless look...

there is a hierarchy of originality, and a redial is not on the same scale at all with replaced pusher, crown, or relumed hands. It doesn't mean you have to agree with how the market values things, or what looks attractive to you personally, but since a watch is often a major financial purchase, I think it's good to be aware of fair market value considerations before you pull the trigger.

If you are happy with a redial, and aware of the financial implications, it's completely your decision to make. I think the forum tries to steer people away from these decisions, because almost invariably, someone's personal tastes will tend to align with the general collectors tastes and market over time, and it can save some money and headaches. On the other hand, we all pay noob tax getting started, sometimes quite heavily, speaking from experience.

korneevy · Jul 6, 2021

Larry S
This is better. The dial is more patinated than I’d like and the movement needs a clean up. Crown isn’t original. On thing I was going to mention, Singapore seems a challenging place for watchmakers. With these dress chronographs, sweat and humidity steam em right up. I’m seeing humidity here.

Actually that is a very good point. We constantly in/out of heavily aircon environments to steamy hot streets and I haven't even considered how these rapid changes in humidity and temperature can affect an old watch with poor o-rings and many exposed parts such as pushers and crowns.

korneevy · Jul 6, 2021

bgrisso
there is a hierarchy of originality, and a redial is not on the same scale at all with replaced pusher, crown, or relumed hands. It doesn't mean you have to agree with how the market values things, or what looks attractive to you personally, but since a watch is often a major financial purchase, I think it's good to be aware of fair market value considerations before you pull the trigger.

If you are happy with a redial, and aware of the financial implications, it's completely your decision to make. I think the forum tries to steer people away from these decisions, because almost invariably, someone's personal tastes will tend to align with the general collectors tastes and market over time, and it can save some money and headaches. On the other hand, we all pay noob tax getting started, sometimes quite heavily, speaking from experience.

True all that. I really appreciated the comments and education so far, so pls keep them coming, I am not too thin skinned and far from being a UG or generally, vintage watch expert so happy to take it on the chin😀

Larry S · Jul 6, 2021

korneevy
Actually that is a very good point. We constantly in/out of heavily aircon environments to steamy hot streets and I haven't even considered how these rapid changes in humidity and temperature can affect an old watch with poor o-rings and many exposed parts such as pushers and crowns.

Learned the hard way. Tri Compax on the wrist during a hot day having to switch terminals and airlines at OHare in July. When I got to London, it spent the next week in a bag of rice the hotel kindly gave me. (I had other watches with me).the moisture gets in through the crown.

berrychlossom · Jul 7, 2021

Larry S
Learned the hard way. Tri Compax on the wrist during a hot day having to switch terminals and airlines at OHare in July. When I got to London, it spent the next week in a bag of rice the hotel kindly gave me. (I had other watches with me).the moisture gets in through the crown.

Same thing happened to my Polerouter last week. Very humid warm weather in New York and it immediately fogged up under the crystal as I walked out of an airconditioned store.

Universal Medico - Double Signed Chrono...need your opinions!

bgrisso

bgrisso

korneevy

korneevy

Larry S

berrychlossom

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