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valjoux72
·When it comes to Universal, one of the most admired watch by collectors is the Universal Colonial Chronograph (Cal. 285). Build only for a very short period of time, these watches fascinate with their "avantgarde" case design and beautiful dials.
The picture to illustrate is from longtime OF member Laurent Noodia, who passed away much to early and had one of these watches in his incredible collection.
Source: Noodia (Instagram)
As the italian collector Dr.Steel, who has a mindblowing example (signed Compur) in his collection, pointed out, all known Colonial chronographs are in the range of 5XX.XXX produced around 1935.
https://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=71923977
But as we know from an original adverts, "Colonial" is not a model name, but the description for the very first water and clima proofed Universal watches with special case designs.
Credit: nicola1960
Beside these incredible chronographs there exsist a few timeonly Colonials too.
A very beautiful example Colonial Prima belongs to famous collector Jack Wong. Smaller in size than the chronographs, it has a very similar case design, an amazing sector dial and a golden bezel.
(Source Jack Wong, Instagram)
Thanks to @aap (who reminds me one fs on ebay) I was able to catch one of these early Colonials timeonly last week.Solid stainless steel case around 31mm in diameter and with a very rotten crystal and hardly worn crown, but in running condition and with original blued sword hands.
Not a real steal, but for what I think is a very decent price.
Original dial with beautiful numerals (open 9) still under the rotten crystal, but I´m quite sure that it will look awesome with a new glass. Case design looks familiar, even if there are no crown guard and no beveld edges (anymore?).
The case back is very interesting as it shares the typical tre tacche screwback we know from early Longines.
Case even has a three digit number that matches the serial number in caseback.
The older UW logo / staybrite is period correct for around 1935
.
The nicely finished movement is a Universal watch signed AS 340 with geneva stripes.
So I hope you share my passion for this rare watch. I will add some pics when it comes back from spa...
The picture to illustrate is from longtime OF member Laurent Noodia, who passed away much to early and had one of these watches in his incredible collection.
Source: Noodia (Instagram)
As the italian collector Dr.Steel, who has a mindblowing example (signed Compur) in his collection, pointed out, all known Colonial chronographs are in the range of 5XX.XXX produced around 1935.
https://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=71923977
But as we know from an original adverts, "Colonial" is not a model name, but the description for the very first water and clima proofed Universal watches with special case designs.
Credit: nicola1960
Beside these incredible chronographs there exsist a few timeonly Colonials too.
A very beautiful example Colonial Prima belongs to famous collector Jack Wong. Smaller in size than the chronographs, it has a very similar case design, an amazing sector dial and a golden bezel.
(Source Jack Wong, Instagram)
Thanks to @aap (who reminds me one fs on ebay) I was able to catch one of these early Colonials timeonly last week.Solid stainless steel case around 31mm in diameter and with a very rotten crystal and hardly worn crown, but in running condition and with original blued sword hands.
Not a real steal, but for what I think is a very decent price.
Original dial with beautiful numerals (open 9) still under the rotten crystal, but I´m quite sure that it will look awesome with a new glass. Case design looks familiar, even if there are no crown guard and no beveld edges (anymore?).
The case back is very interesting as it shares the typical tre tacche screwback we know from early Longines.
Case even has a three digit number that matches the serial number in caseback.
The older UW logo / staybrite is period correct for around 1935
.
The nicely finished movement is a Universal watch signed AS 340 with geneva stripes.
So I hope you share my passion for this rare watch. I will add some pics when it comes back from spa...
Edited:
