1960s Universal Genève Polerouter Super Ref. 869112/22

Why This Watch Matters

This Universal Genève Polerouter Super is superb on the wrist with a large crown.

The Full Story

Universal Genève's Polerouter was originally released in 1954 and was designed by Gérald Genta, sculptor of the AP Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus. There are nearly an estimated 1,000 executions of the Polerouter that grew from its original Genta design in 1954 to being printed on most time-only watches created by Universal Genève in the 1970s. This example of the ref. 869115/22 dates to the late 1960s and features the microtor self-winding movement that came to be a calling card of the model family. This particular reference does well to show the expansive Polerouter family of watches produced in this period while incorporating many aspects of the original Genta design.

Our Polerouter Super has a stainless steel case and bezel with a mostly matte satin finish in the front, and when paired with the straight lugs, this gives the watch a more robust feel. Plus, the large round screw-down crown not only enhances the handling of the crown but also commands extra presence on your wrist. Inside this watch is Universal Genève's famous micro-rotor movement, the caliber 69. The fully self-winding microtor (caliber 215) movement was introduced by Universal Genève in 1955, a technical feat at the time that allowed for a slimmer case profile thanks to the smaller rotor inside. The case measures 35mm in diameter, but trust us, it wears a lot larger on the wrist than its dimensions might indicate.

We paired this UG with our Bedford watch strap in a dusty olive green that plays off of the stainless steel case and the patina on the dial really well.

The Fine Print

What We Love And What You Should Know

Things We Love:

- Interesting case with nice downturned lugs
- Large UG crown
- Microtor movement inside

Things To Know:

- Scratches on case
- Lume damage in minute hand

This Polerouter Super is in overall good, honest vintage condition. The case shows some scratches and marks from general use. The numbers engraved on the caseback remain visible which is a nice feature since these caseback engravings were very lightly done to begin with. The reverse of the lugs have some scratches from strap changing.

The dial is in attractive condition overall with a light patina throughout. There is some very  light spotting on the dial but it is overall very clean. The hour markers and hands have developed patina. Most of the luminous material on the dial shows some signs of degradation and has developed patina to an off-white color. The hands have developed some patina. The minute hand is missing most of its lume and the lume in the hour hand matches the dial well. The missing lume is hard to spot due to the white dial and lume.

The crystal has light scratches. The dial, crown, case, and movement are signed by Universal Genève. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.