Man, I just bought a UG Polerouter not long ago. Took it to my watchmaker who only servicing the hyped Rolex/Omega/Patek line of watches. He was so much amazed by the Universal Pole-router movement that he didnt accept money for servicing it. He was saying like "working on a delicate part of history" made him so happy and excited that he was just happy to do it free...I am really happy with this watch, probably the best I ever got.
Hey watch nomad. Whats your watchmakers name/location. Sounds like the type of watchmaker thats hard to find these days. I could give him plenty of business. Thanks
Just picked up a gen 1 grey dial unisonic. Not a normally a hum fan but omg this 15 jewel turning fork movement has the most incredible sweep I have ever witnessed and the quality and design of this UG is top notch. You don’t come across these often so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. 10/10
I absolutely LOVE Polerouters!! The sector dial and the circle around the dial... Just beautiful. Not sure why I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.
I have two! One was a gift to my Dad from his mother in 1943, when he was 14. The other was an ebay find of his in recent years, with a UG 263 movement.
My late father had a Universal Geneve...white Gold...my 85y,o, mom can't remember where It is....Maybe lost during moving to another apartment....I'm still knocking my Head to the wall...
Great looking watch. Don't see to many videos online about UG. Thanks T3 for the knowledge. I'll state again as I've said before on live-stream chats for anyone who is reading the comment section...do yourself a favor and join the channel. The discord community alone is worth it for all watch enthusiasts whether you're new to the game or an old hat.
I inherited a vintage universal geneve watch with kanji numerals (as far as i know) which was gifted to my grandfather from a Japanese business partner of his. And it kickstarted my love for watches and will be in my possession forever. So universal geneve has a very special place I my heart.
It’s a special looking watch!!!! Made my 2 cats watch this mornings show! Thought I’d get them into watches to! They haven’t appeared in one of my shows ......YET!
I've had 5 universal geneves at one point - Polerouter no date gold plated, Polerouter NS, Polerouter Super (white dial), Polerouter Super (black dial), Monodatic (cream dial small subseconds). Yeah, I had a problem...
Yup, still available at City Chain outlets in Singapore. However, City Chain is sort of a fashion watch outlet that sells some higher-end brand names but I have personally had very bad experiences with them. The staff are not well-trained in handling and storage of their timepieces and often times, they sell watches that are defective or won't last long. They often have huge store discounts to clear their stock, but their pre-discount prices are on the high side. I usually avoid them unless I see a piece worth buying at a huge discount. Just my personal opinion.
Hi Jory, First time watched your channel. I have a 1972 UG dress watch with Gerald Genta special features all over it. Just had it serviced by a watch maker who worked for AP. Looks brand new. The reason I am commenting is that it strikes me to few watch reviewers give proper credit to Genta's influence on the design. Further it is clear Genta was called upon to customise for special customers over and above creating new line designs for the brand. While my watch was probably very expensive in 1972 being full on 18K gold and easily one of the most elegant dress watches I have ever seen. People seeing it may think it was not important or valuable given the company shut down. I think you might find it interesting so will send you a few photos via email. Many thanks for paying homage to UG, a great company brought down by quartz movements. And homage to the great GG.
i just got my polerouter serviced... i bought the one with the caliber 138 ss bumper movement.. i read on forums that they are more reliable and easier to maintain rather than a unique movement like the 218-2 where parts are harder to come by.
I have a Polerouter that my father gave me. Beautiful watch. I’d love to get more info on mine, if you or anyone out there know about UGs. I believe mine is circa early ‘70s.
Universal Geneve is the greatest Swiss watch brand that no longer exists.If they were ever brought back to life in a real way they would be the hottest brand in the watch collecting community.
I agree these are good watches, but I'm not sure they are all undervalued, the Polerouter in particular was hyped up considerably by Theo & Harris a few years ago which then drove the prices up funnily enough!
i've always come across this brand on online selling platforms, i know they have quite a history but always overlooked at their watches...thank Jory for the depth inside look into this underrated brand....:)
I have aa affordable ventage Universal Geneve but it has a 2892 movement. But a UG compressor with a microrotor would have been 10x more expensive. That is what I really wanted.
Great video! Speaking of defunct watch companies I'd recommend looking into Helvetia. They made some beautiful watches, and have an interesting history.
My wife gave me a Universal Geneve of her late father's. Has a 215-2 microter movement. Can I send you a picture? I can't find it in my searches for it's history. A watch maker said it is impossible to date. I fear he had it redialed back in the day.
I've seen some of your videos discussing Vincero watches. I know you think they're not worth it and a bit uninspired, but they recently dropped a few new models that I think you would really enjoy: The Altitude, the Apex (this one looks best in the silver+black on steel bracelet varient IMO) and the Vessel. These designs in my opinion are absolutely beautiful and I want to know your thoughts on them. Maybe pick up one or two of the above-mentioned models, or perhaps all three, and do a re-review of Vincero watches as a whole? (I know this is for the most part unrelated to this particular video, I just wanted to find a more recent video of yours so you'd see my comment)
From W&W article: “As the story goes, in 1954, Universal Genève tapped Genta-then just 23-years old-to design a watch to commemorate SAS’s (Scandanavian Airlines Systems) polar flights from New York/Los Angeles directly to Europe. That watch would come to be known as the Polarouter-later renamed to Polerouter”
I have a working 1936 "Suisse Chronographe antimagnetique" in very very very good shape that I pay 3€ (4$) in a small village sale... ...18k rose gold, blue arrows, silver dial, fixed lugs... ...and a cal.285 Universal Genève inside !!! I only gave it to the jeweler for a good "cleaning" and now she keeps time perfectly. Now days, it's possible to find rare watches in small villages or old shops. Bye.
I have a cushion case Universal Geneva dress watch in 18K gold. Cost 2K. Automatic. Only thing is you can only set the hands going backwards. They don’t make the parts for these anymore. Beautiful watch though.
@@thetimeteller lol. Maurice Lacroix Aikon with the white dial only comes in 42mm do you think they'd downsize if requested? Also, Yay or Nah on that brand?
I feel like you listen to an episode from the TBWS podcast and then you do a video on what ever they have discussed. It's a strange coincidence that they drop an episode and a few days later out comes your video on almost the exact same subject. Do you guys collaborate?
Great video, Universal Geneve is just like Enicar, old respected names that bit the dust, their names bought up by Asian Companies that specialize in selling personal style items to the emerging Asian Business market.men
I've got 2 UG. A gold compax from the 40s and a Polerouter. The movement with microtor is a f*cking masterpiece, it was the thinnest automatic movement when it came out. UG is one of the best Watchmaker ever. And in my opinion "Nina Rindt" and "Eric Clapton" are way more cooler than the Daytona
Universal is not defunct yet. According the website www.rescapement.com, quotes "Today, Universal Geneve as a brand is technically still in existence, owned by Stelux, a Hong Kong investment group, since 1989. The brand saw a brief relaunch in 2001, but hasn’t updated its marketing materials or website since 2009. They’re still a member of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, and oversee production of Cyma, another brand owned by Stelux". The website is universal.ch
Universal Geneve ranks among the greatest of the Grand Old Swiss watchmakers. Tragically, UG buried itself in the 1970s when it thought that the battery-powered Swiss Quartz movements were the future. UG pretty much abandoned its brilliant mechanical movements by 1980, which doomed the company. Around 1989, a Hong Kong Chinese bought the UG brand from the bankrupt original UG company. SINCE 1989, UG is just a brand name for cheap Chinese watches. If you want a TRUE UG, a vintage Swiss-made UG is the only option.
sadly, out of the price range of the new watch collectors...I guess some people have large income jobs and can afford these watches when they come up on the used market. Most of us though, cannot afford them. Pity.
Hey, love your videos... please make a video about GARMIN watches , especially for "instinct" Please please please...i've seen a lot of reviews from other people...they s*ck ...i will trust you only ;)
I wear a lot of old zenith and UG , no fkin one notices them, oh yeah, geeks lol Oh yes I also own 3 moderns ones + one on order, I have a compax from 1990 with a 7750, UG71 okeanos from 2011, microrotor okeanos late 2000's and a 1993 classic auto with a 2892 incoming. All extremely well finished for the price, on the asian market they're available "new old stock" condition for peanuts, there's also a guy in Spain who's reasonable with offers. Look into it, but don't grab them all to price gouge us. :p
I have an Universal Geneve Tri Compax Ref 222100_1 Cal.281 SS White Dial Triple Calendar Moon Phase. It is in mint condition. The Cal. 281 is as good as (if not better than) the Valjoux 88.
Every week we tend to sell out of our crappy, overpriced watches on my garbage website. I’m $o deva$tated, by your $tatement... I’m not $ure I’ll ever $urvive. 🤣🥱 Make something of yourself and maybe you can stop worrying about what I’m doing. 🙏
Directly from W&W historical overview on the brand: “As the story goes, in 1954, Universal Genève tapped Genta-then just 23-years old-to design a watch to commemorate SAS’s (Scandanavian Airlines Systems) polar flights from New York/Los Angeles directly to Europe. That watch would come to be known as the Polarouter-later renamed to Polerouter-and it would spawn a highly successful family of watches for Universal Genève.” It’s sad when people attempt to put others down when they themselves don’t even know what they don’t know. #LearnSomething
Man, I just bought a UG Polerouter not long ago. Took it to my watchmaker who only servicing the hyped Rolex/Omega/Patek line of watches. He was so much amazed by the Universal Pole-router movement that he didnt accept money for servicing it. He was saying like "working on a delicate part of history" made him so happy and excited that he was just happy to do it free...I am really happy with this watch, probably the best I ever got.
Hey watch nomad. Whats your watchmakers name/location. Sounds like the type of watchmaker thats hard to find these days. I could give him plenty of business. Thanks
Just picked up a gen 1 grey dial unisonic. Not a normally a hum fan but omg this 15 jewel turning fork movement has the most incredible sweep I have ever witnessed and the quality and design of this UG is top notch. You don’t come across these often so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. 10/10
I absolutely LOVE Polerouters!! The sector dial and the circle around the dial... Just beautiful. Not sure why I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.
I have two! One was a gift to my Dad from his mother in 1943, when he was 14. The other was an ebay find of his in recent years, with a UG 263 movement.
My late father had a Universal Geneve...white Gold...my 85y,o, mom can't remember where It is....Maybe lost during moving to another apartment....I'm still knocking my Head to the wall...
Great looking watch. Don't see to many videos online about UG. Thanks T3 for the knowledge. I'll state again as I've said before on live-stream chats for anyone who is reading the comment section...do yourself a favor and join the channel. The discord community alone is worth it for all watch enthusiasts whether you're new to the game or an old hat.
I inherited a vintage universal geneve watch with kanji numerals (as far as i know) which was gifted to my grandfather from a Japanese business partner of his. And it kickstarted my love for watches and will be in my possession forever. So universal geneve has a very special place I my heart.
UG rocks! Their vintage chronos are superb and the watch you shoved us looks like a Patek Philippe I once took some photos of. :)
The Polerouter is a vintage watch that I would really like to add to my collection. Gorgeous watch.
Check out the UG Shadow line. I think they had the thinnest auto movement for a time and they were also Genta designed.
@@YouGetBlocked My Shadow has a Universal Geneve cal 2-67 movement which was definitely made by them.
I got a Polerouter coming in!
I have the Genta design non-date version coming in the next couple of days. Excited!
Omer Chowdhury yeah same! Congrats
It’s a special looking watch!!!! Made my 2 cats watch this mornings show! Thought I’d get them into watches to! They haven’t appeared in one of my shows ......YET!
I've had 5 universal geneves at one point - Polerouter no date gold plated, Polerouter NS, Polerouter Super (white dial), Polerouter Super (black dial), Monodatic (cream dial small subseconds). Yeah, I had a problem...
Yup, still available at City Chain outlets in Singapore. However, City Chain is sort of a fashion watch outlet that sells some higher-end brand names but I have personally had very bad experiences with them. The staff are not well-trained in handling and storage of their timepieces and often times, they sell watches that are defective or won't last long. They often have huge store discounts to clear their stock, but their pre-discount prices are on the high side. I usually avoid them unless I see a piece worth buying at a huge discount. Just my personal opinion.
Hi Jory,
First time watched your channel. I have a 1972 UG dress watch with Gerald Genta special features all over it. Just had it serviced by a watch maker who worked for AP. Looks brand new.
The reason I am commenting is that it strikes me to few watch reviewers give proper credit to Genta's influence on the design. Further it is clear Genta was called upon to customise for special customers over and above creating new line designs for the brand. While my watch was probably very expensive in 1972 being full on 18K gold and easily one of the most elegant dress watches I have ever seen. People seeing it may think it was not important or valuable given the company shut down. I think you might find it interesting so will send you a few photos via email. Many thanks for paying homage to UG, a great company brought down by quartz movements. And homage to the great GG.
The Polerouter is so far the only watch I'm willing to own multiple variations of. Got 3 so far...and definitely open to getting more! :D
Any chance of you doing a video on Gruen Watches too sometime soon???
i just got my polerouter serviced... i bought the one with the caliber 138 ss bumper movement.. i read on forums that they are more reliable and easier to maintain rather than a unique movement like the 218-2 where parts are harder to come by.
Yes, such an amazing brand. And actually, the Bulova Chronograph that went to the moon had an Universal Geneve Caliber
I own a gold Universal Geneve Polerouter Date Automatic. It looks incredible and is one of the most confortable watches that I own.
I have a Polerouter that my father gave me. Beautiful watch. I’d love to get more info on mine, if you or anyone out there know about UGs. I believe mine is circa early ‘70s.
Universal Geneve is the greatest Swiss watch brand that no longer exists.If they were ever brought back to life in a real way they would be the hottest brand in the watch collecting community.
What do you think about Jomashop?
I’m trying to find the value of a Universal Geneve from around 1950. Where can I find the value?
I agree these are good watches, but I'm not sure they are all undervalued, the Polerouter in particular was hyped up considerably by Theo & Harris a few years ago which then drove the prices up funnily enough!
i've always come across this brand on online selling platforms, i know they have quite a history but always overlooked at their watches...thank Jory for the depth inside look into this underrated brand....:)
I have aa affordable ventage Universal Geneve but it has a 2892 movement. But a UG compressor with a microrotor would have been 10x more expensive. That is what I really wanted.
i ve got a early 60's dress UG gold plated. just got it from a watchmaker and i must say...worth every penny. still amazed how cheap it was 😅
Great video! Speaking of defunct watch companies I'd recommend looking into Helvetia. They made some beautiful watches, and have an interesting history.
Nice history lesson again learning ALOT!!! Thanks jory
My wife gave me a Universal Geneve of her late father's. Has a 215-2 microter movement. Can I send you a picture? I can't find it in my searches for it's history. A watch maker said it is impossible to date. I fear he had it redialed back in the day.
I own one inscribed 1958 for the original owner. No idea on the model other than it’s a bumper automatic. Greatest watch I own.
What do you think of the GWN-Q1000A-1AJF
I've seen some of your videos discussing Vincero watches. I know you think they're not worth it and a bit uninspired, but they recently dropped a few new models that I think you would really enjoy: The Altitude, the Apex (this one looks best in the silver+black on steel bracelet varient IMO) and the Vessel. These designs in my opinion are absolutely beautiful and I want to know your thoughts on them. Maybe pick up one or two of the above-mentioned models, or perhaps all three, and do a re-review of Vincero watches as a whole? (I know this is for the most part unrelated to this particular video, I just wanted to find a more recent video of yours so you'd see my comment)
One day afther my birtdhay, I found my grandparents polerouter date with 69 caliber ,inside s box in our garage. It was lost for More than 30 years
Is it a polerouter or a polar router?
From W&W article: “As the story goes, in 1954, Universal Genève tapped Genta-then just 23-years old-to design a watch to commemorate SAS’s (Scandanavian Airlines Systems) polar flights from New York/Los Angeles directly to Europe. That watch would come to be known as the Polarouter-later renamed to Polerouter”
I have a working 1936 "Suisse Chronographe antimagnetique" in very very very good shape that I pay 3€ (4$) in a small village sale...
...18k rose gold, blue arrows, silver dial, fixed lugs...
...and a cal.285 Universal Genève inside !!!
I only gave it to the jeweler for a good "cleaning" and now she keeps time perfectly.
Now days, it's possible to find rare watches in small villages or old shops.
Bye.
Wow!
The gold worth over 1000, tell your grandson the story !
I live in HK and they have a bunch of Universal geneve at city chain (there are quite a few of them), don’t think Ug will be going anywhere soon
Conrats on your shop
They have some really cool designs! We need more watches like that nowadays.
Are these watches good pre owned?
I have a cushion case Universal Geneva dress watch in 18K gold. Cost 2K. Automatic. Only thing is you can only set the hands going backwards. They don’t make the parts for these anymore. Beautiful watch though.
Thanks for sharing and exposing me to a brand with some beautiful gentlemen watches 👍
I have a nice Monodatic. Love it
Now, after Breitling bought UG your right
Stellux is just 2 minutes away from my home , San Po Kong HK
I do enherited my pole router from my great grandfather. Not a rich guy but it's a cool flex
underrated is the new fashion word in youtube
No UG for sale on City Chain Hong Kong.
I got myself a golden shadow 😍
All of the watches are sold out on your site... what's the point?
You must be missing our WEEKLY restocks. $top complaining if you’re not going to buy anything. What’$ the point?
@@thetimeteller lol. Maurice Lacroix Aikon with the white dial only comes in 42mm do you think they'd downsize if requested? Also, Yay or Nah on that brand?
I feel like you listen to an episode from the TBWS podcast and then you do a video on what ever they have discussed. It's a strange coincidence that they drop an episode and a few days later out comes your video on almost the exact same subject. Do you guys collaborate?
I film weeks in advance... so unless they’re spying on my office when we film...
Great video, Universal Geneve is just like Enicar, old respected names that bit the dust, their names bought up by Asian Companies that specialize in selling personal style items to the emerging Asian Business market.men
Great watches. My favorite is the 1970s Space Compax
You have good taste!
Also I've heard of Universal Geneve and I plan to add one to my collection of I can find one
I've got 2 UG. A gold compax from the 40s and a Polerouter. The movement with microtor is a f*cking masterpiece, it was the thinnest automatic movement when it came out. UG is one of the best Watchmaker ever. And in my opinion "Nina Rindt" and "Eric Clapton" are way more cooler than the Daytona
I have a gold boy great watch
Funny to Watch After this years, who would have guessed Breitling 🤘🏻
Shhhhhh....prices will go up!!!!
Universal is not defunct yet. According the website www.rescapement.com, quotes "Today, Universal Geneve as a brand is technically still in existence, owned by Stelux, a Hong Kong investment group, since 1989. The brand saw a brief relaunch in 2001, but hasn’t updated its marketing materials or website since 2009. They’re still a member of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, and oversee production of Cyma, another brand owned by Stelux". The website is universal.ch
How about an Omega Geneve?
I'll take anything with a micro-rotor please! Thank you! If Universal G had Rolex's marketing and advertising....
Universal Geneve ranks among the greatest of the Grand Old Swiss watchmakers. Tragically, UG buried itself in the 1970s when it thought that the battery-powered Swiss Quartz movements were the future. UG pretty much abandoned its brilliant mechanical movements by 1980, which doomed the company. Around 1989, a Hong Kong Chinese bought the UG brand from the bankrupt original UG company. SINCE 1989, UG is just a brand name for cheap Chinese watches. If you want a TRUE UG, a vintage Swiss-made UG is the only option.
sadly, out of the price range of the new watch collectors...I guess some people have large income jobs and can afford these watches when they come up on the used market. Most of us though, cannot afford them. Pity.
You must be over the moon these days!
Boy do I have some news for you
Hey, love your videos... please make a video about GARMIN watches , especially for "instinct" Please please please...i've seen a lot of reviews from other people...they s*ck ...i will trust you only ;)
Whenever I read a brand has been bought by a shady Chinese holding a part of me dies inside. It would be better if they just let the brand die.
I wear a lot of old zenith and UG , no fkin one notices them, oh yeah, geeks lol
Oh yes I also own 3 moderns ones + one on order, I have a compax from 1990 with a 7750, UG71 okeanos from 2011, microrotor okeanos late 2000's and a 1993 classic auto with a 2892 incoming.
All extremely well finished for the price, on the asian market they're available "new old stock" condition for peanuts, there's also a guy in Spain who's reasonable with offers.
Look into it, but don't grab them all to price gouge us. :p
I have an Universal Geneve Tri Compax Ref 222100_1 Cal.281 SS White Dial Triple Calendar Moon Phase. It is in mint condition. The Cal. 281 is as good as (if not better than) the Valjoux 88.
Please use a correct Swiss flag next time (we're VERY particular about that)
Given what’s happening with HK and China right now, guessing UG’s gonna be having a tougher time. Hold your breath guys.
Acquired by Asian company... Does it mean the size is getting bigger? Asian somehow loves big watch ha ha
Well it's like Smiths and so many others. Derivative stuff being churned out under a known name. Depressing.
You have 4 crappy over priced watches for sale on the garbage website
Every week we tend to sell out of our crappy, overpriced watches on my garbage website. I’m $o deva$tated, by your $tatement... I’m not $ure I’ll ever $urvive. 🤣🥱 Make something of yourself and maybe you can stop worrying about what I’m doing. 🙏
Poler-router hahah
Directly from W&W historical overview on the brand: “As the story goes, in 1954, Universal Genève tapped Genta-then just 23-years old-to design a watch to commemorate SAS’s (Scandanavian Airlines Systems) polar flights from New York/Los Angeles directly to Europe. That watch would come to be known as the Polarouter-later renamed to Polerouter-and it would spawn a highly successful family of watches for Universal Genève.” It’s sad when people attempt to put others down when they themselves don’t even know what they don’t know. #LearnSomething
The Time Teller wasn’t a dig at you at all man, just never heard to pronounced that way. Happy to learn about it 🤙🏼
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