Hong Kong, May 29, 2022
LOT 436
Universal
Divers’, self-winding, centre-seconds, date, calibre “Microtor” 69, black dial; “Polerouter Sub”; stainless steel
HKD 23,800 - 47,500
EUR 2,900 - 5,800 / CHF 3,000 - 6,000 / USD 3,100 - 6,100
Stainless steel, self-winding, “tonneau”-shaped, diver’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, 60-minute graduated bidirectional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, black colour dial with radial Arabic numerals and indexes, centre-seconds and one horological complication:
· Half-instantaneous date of the month (aperture at 3 o’clock)
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3-40 |
Good Slightly repolished |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Universal, Geneva
Model “Polerouter Sub”
Year circa 1970
Movement No. unnumbered
Material stainless steel
Bracelet green Nato-type strap
Buckle stainless steel buckle
Diameter 37.8 mm. (bezel)
Caliber 69, 12’’’ ½, “Microtor”, patented micro-rotor
Height 47.8 mm.
Width 36.7 mm.
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories copies of invention patents
Notes
Movement based on the Swiss invention patent No. 329 805, delivered on May 15, 1958 (application filed on May 27, 1955), to Manufacture des Montres Universal, Perret Frères, Carouge (Genève), for a “Montre à remontoir automatique” (Self-winding watch).
--
Universal“Microtor” Calibres
The “Microtor”, patented by Universal Genève since 1955, is a self-winding movement incorporating a micro-rotor, which, embedded in the movement, makes it possible to produce self-winding watches that are much thinner than those previously made.
This revolutionary calibre will be developed with various improvements that will be patented in the late 1950’s and early 160’s, both in Switzerland, France and the United States of America.
This movement (generally centre-seconds) will therefore have various declinations: Cal. 215, Cal. 215-1 with date of the month, Cal. 215-9 with 21 600 v / h, etc.; Cal. 218, Cal. 218-2 with date of the month, Cal. 218-9 with 21 600 v / h, etc.; Cal. 69, Cal. 1-69, Cal. 66 without centre-seconds, Cal. 67 without centre-seconds but with date of the month; Cal. 71, extra-thin; Cal. 72 with date of the month and day of the week; etc.
The “Microtor” was presented at several major Swiss and international exhibitions, such as the Basel Fair and the Comptoir Suisse in Lausanne in 1958, then the Vienna Exhibition in 1960, etc.
A probably unique large demonstration movement, Cal. 258 (electrically powered), skeleton and glass, on an electric rotating support, built circa 1957-1958, designed to show the functions and latest developments of the “Microtor” self-winding system, was auctioned by Antiquorum, Geneva, thematic auction, April 9, 1994, 100 years Universal Watch, Important Watches and Wristwatches, lot 130, sold for the amount of CHF 37 950.-
Universal’s micro-rotor calibres were manufactured ahead of their time and in particular preceded Patek Philippe’s Cal. 240 by about ten years. In 2006, Universal presents his new “Microtor”, the Cal. UG 100, then in 2007, the Cal. UG 101. In recent years, a few watch manufacturers have started to produce this type of movement (Bulgari, Chopard, Roger Dubuis, Laurent Ferrier, A. Lange & Söhne, Armin Ström, etc.).
--
Case based on the Swiss invention patent No. 238 872, delivered on August 31, 1945 (application filed on January 22, 1944), to John Simon, Tramelan (Bernese Jura), for a “Dispositif de fixation d’un mouvement de montre dans un boîte” (Device for fixing a watch movement in a case).
--
Universal“Microtor” Calibres
The “Microtor”, patented by Universal Genève since 1955, is a self-winding movement incorporating a micro-rotor, which, embedded in the movement, makes it possible to produce self-winding watches that are much thinner than those previously made.
This revolutionary calibre will be developed with various improvements that will be patented in the late 1950’s and early 160’s, both in Switzerland, France and the United States of America.
This movement (generally centre-seconds) will therefore have various declinations: Cal. 215, Cal. 215-1 with date of the month, Cal. 215-9 with 21 600 v / h, etc.; Cal. 218, Cal. 218-2 with date of the month, Cal. 218-9 with 21 600 v / h, etc.; Cal. 69, Cal. 1-69, Cal. 66 without centre-seconds, Cal. 67 without centre-seconds but with date of the month; Cal. 71, extra-thin; Cal. 72 with date of the month and day of the week; etc.
The “Microtor” was presented at several major Swiss and international exhibitions, such as the Basel Fair and the Comptoir Suisse in Lausanne in 1958, then the Vienna Exhibition in 1960, etc.
A probably unique large demonstration movement, Cal. 258 (electrically powered), skeleton and glass, on an electric rotating support, built circa 1957-1958, designed to show the functions and latest developments of the “Microtor” self-winding system, was auctioned by Antiquorum, Geneva, thematic auction, April 9, 1994, 100 years Universal Watch, Important Watches and Wristwatches, lot 130, sold for the amount of CHF 37 950.-
Universal’s micro-rotor calibres were manufactured ahead of their time and in particular preceded Patek Philippe’s Cal. 240 by about ten years. In 2006, Universal presents his new “Microtor”, the Cal. UG 100, then in 2007, the Cal. UG 101. In recent years, a few watch manufacturers have started to produce this type of movement (Bulgari, Chopard, Roger Dubuis, Laurent Ferrier, A. Lange & Söhne, Armin Ström, etc.).
--
Case based on the Swiss invention patent No. 238 872, delivered on August 31, 1945 (application filed on January 22, 1944), to John Simon, Tramelan (Bernese Jura), for a “Dispositif de fixation d’un mouvement de montre dans un boîte” (Device for fixing a watch movement in a case).