Description
Universal Genève Ref. 18501 pink gold vintage wristwatch, circa 1942
A very handsome 18ct pink gold rectangular wristwatch with three-tone dial
A period of great creativity and innovation in wristwatch design, the 1930s and 40s witnessed the production of some of the most beautiful rectangular wristwatches ever made. The Art Deco period, as a whole, greatly influenced the watch industry and coincided with the wider adoption of the wristwatch as the timepiece of choice, with Swiss exports of wristwatches overtaking those of pocket watches for the first time in the early 1930s. We believe that the dial of this watch has been sympathetically restored in the past, notwithstanding which, it is an exceptionally attractive dial, with a stunning three-tone design. The main dial body is composed of two contrasting silvered finishes, whilst the calibrations for minutes are held within a high sheen, pink gilded track. The rectangular case is made from 18ct pink gold and retains excellent definition to its angles and edges, with clear numbering to the outside back and crisp hallmarking to the right hand case side.
Universal was originally founded in 1894 in Le Locle, Switzeland, by Ulysse Georges Perret (1868-1933) and Numa Emile Descombes (1863-1897). The firm’s head office was moved to Geneva between 1918 & 1919. It was during the 1930s, 40s and 50s that Universal released some of their most creative models. Today, the watchmaker is best known for its complication wristwatches, notably its Compax models with combinations of chronographs and calendars.
Technical details
[M] Universal calibre 240 manually wound movement, lever escapement, 17 jewels, compensation balance [D] sympathetically restored silvered three-tone dial, pink gilded minute track with black calibrations, baton hands, rectangular subsidiary seconds [C] 18ct pink gold rectangular case, the bezel with polished finish, satin finished case sides, curved snap-on back, Universal winding crown [S] case, dial, movement and crown signed
Measurements
Length including lugs: 37mm
Width excluding crown: 21.5mm
Depth to centre of crystal: 7mm
Strap width/lug gauge: 19mm
All our watches have been fully serviced and overhauled and are sold with a one year guarantee and detailed Black Bough certificate. This watch is accompanied by a Black Bough leather watch pouch and card outer box.
£1,250.00 [Sold]