A Gents 1950s Universal Genève Wrist Watch

A gents 1950s Universal Genève wrist watch.

The company was founded by two horology students and initially they were a manufacturer and retailer of cases, crowns, dials and movements. After the death of one of the founders, the company enrolled the services of a co-manufacture of complications and the company traded briefly under the name Perret & Berthoud. After transferring the business to Geneva in 1919, the company because Universal Watch et Company (UWEC) Genève, Ltd. The company went on to supply pocket watches and trench watches during the first World War.

Following on from the demise of the pocket watch and the increase in popularity of the wrist watch, Universal Genève continued to expand, forging strong links with Hermès of Paris and Henri Stern Watch Agency in Manhattan, the U.S. distributorship of Patek Philippe.

Universal Genève were granted a Royal Warrant by the Dutch Royal Family in 1939, and produced military watches for the Dutch army.

Universal Genève are today owned by a Hong Kong investment firm but they still have a presence in Geneva.

This particular watch has a bumper automatic movement, calibre 138 with 17 jewels, which is working nicely. The movement is signed with the Universal Genève name.

The watch itself measures 35.5mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the lugs. The case is stainless steel and aside from a few minor marks, it is in a very acceptable condition for a 1950s piece. The winding crown is a later replacement. The inside of the case back has the Universal Genève logo.

The lens is in good order.

The signed dial has a most attractive appearance with concentric circles running underneath the applied numbers. There is a little marking to the dial but nothing too detrimental at all.

A new leather strap has been fitted.

The watch will be sent in a new presentation box.

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All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.

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