Excellent video 👏. The CEO of Breitling just announced that Universal and this model specifically, will be their high end brand, above Breitling. I have just landed two extremely rare watches like yours, with the slim movement and designed by Genta, way pricier than you have suggested but they are worth it.
I appreciate such a thorough and detailed video on this watch. I am in the market for one soon but prices are absolutely all over the place. Same for the White Shadow unfortunately!
I’m glad you found it helpful. The prices are all over the place but usually come down to condition. You can pick up a fairly beat up non-black dial Polerouter with bumper movement for a few hundred. But for a micro-rotor in great condition you’ll be pressed to find them under $2,000 unfortunately. But in good condition it’s one of the best options for getting into vintage watches.
The Polerouter is a lovely piece of design and a real classic, but I do wonder why it gets so much attention relative to so many other classic vintage models from other brands (e.g. Longines, IWC, Girard Perregaux etc). I guess it's the Genta thing? (In reposnse to which you could equally ask why Genta gets so much attention relative to some other designers.. ;-)). But there are even other Genta designs that get far less attention, such as the original Omega c-case Constellation.
You bring up some excellent points. The Polerouter I think definitely gets some attention because of its connection with Genta. But also the relatively uncommon design of the bullseye/sector dial. They really catch the eye and you don’t come across them often. But also to your point there are other brands that made watches that look very similar, like Longines (which is personally one of my favorite brands for vintage pieces). I don’t remember the Polerouter being as prominent as it is currently until Hodinkee published their article. I don’t know how true it is but there was a rumor going around that Hodinkee had stocked up on the polerouters before their article and then released them on the market right after. So perhaps the focus on the Polerouter is completely fabricated for the purposes of marketing. It would almost make sense, since it’s odd the Polerouter gets more attention than their significantly more impressive chronographs.
Excellent video 👏. The CEO of Breitling just announced that Universal and this model specifically, will be their high end brand, above Breitling. I have just landed two extremely rare watches like yours, with the slim movement and designed by Genta, way pricier than you have suggested but they are worth it.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Universal Geneve are great watches.
I appreciate such a thorough and detailed video on this watch. I am in the market for one soon but prices are absolutely all over the place. Same for the White Shadow unfortunately!
I’m glad you found it helpful. The prices are all over the place but usually come down to condition. You can pick up a fairly beat up non-black dial Polerouter with bumper movement for a few hundred. But for a micro-rotor in great condition you’ll be pressed to find them under $2,000 unfortunately. But in good condition it’s one of the best options for getting into vintage watches.
The Polerouter is a lovely piece of design and a real classic, but I do wonder why it gets so much attention relative to so many other classic vintage models from other brands (e.g. Longines, IWC, Girard Perregaux etc). I guess it's the Genta thing? (In reposnse to which you could equally ask why Genta gets so much attention relative to some other designers.. ;-)). But there are even other Genta designs that get far less attention, such as the original Omega c-case Constellation.
You bring up some excellent points. The Polerouter I think definitely gets some attention because of its connection with Genta. But also the relatively uncommon design of the bullseye/sector dial. They really catch the eye and you don’t come across them often. But also to your point there are other brands that made watches that look very similar, like Longines (which is personally one of my favorite brands for vintage pieces). I don’t remember the Polerouter being as prominent as it is currently until Hodinkee published their article. I don’t know how true it is but there was a rumor going around that Hodinkee had stocked up on the polerouters before their article and then released them on the market right after. So perhaps the focus on the Polerouter is completely fabricated for the purposes of marketing. It would almost make sense, since it’s odd the Polerouter gets more attention than their significantly more impressive chronographs.
Is that one redial?
No it’s an original dial. It was just kept in a drawer for decades so it’s in really good condition.
Looks great. Unbelievable deal for $300
I definitely got lucky. I love having it in the collection.