A vintage Universal Genève manual-wind wristwatch from the 1940s–50s, with a very attractive original military-style dial — cream/silvered with applied faceted arrowhead markers, luminous dots, pencil hands, and a blued central seconds hand. Powered by Universal Genève's respected calibre 332, in a stainless steel case. A charming, honest small-format vintage piece from one of the great names in Swiss watchmaking. Running and keeping generally good time.
The Watch
- Brand: Universal Genève
- Model: Time-only, military-style dial
- Era: 1940s–1950s
- Case: Stainless steel (marked "Swiss Stainless Steel," UG shield logo to caseback), ref 206502, serial 1497630
- Case width: approx 27mm (excluding crown) — a small, true-vintage format
- Dial: Original silvered/cream military-style dial, Arabic 12/4/8, applied faceted arrowhead markers, luminous dots, railway minute track, "Universal Genève / Swiss" signature
- Hands: Luminous cathedral hour/minute hands, blued central seconds
- Crown: Signed/fluted crown
- Crystal: Domed acrylic
- Strap: Brown leather (aftermarket)
Movement
- Calibre: Universal Genève 332, 17 jewels, manual wind
- Signed: "Universal Genève / Swiss Made," calibre 332 on the bridge
- Running status: Running and keeping generally good time
Universal Genève is one of the most historically significant Swiss makers — best known for the Polerouter (designed by a young Gérald Genta) and the Compax family of chronographs — and made its own high-quality in-house calibres. The cal. 332 is a well-regarded manual-wind movement from the brand's mid-century output.
Condition
- Working order: Running and keeping generally good time; winds and sets.
- Dial: Original and unrestored, with attractive even honest patina — light ageing and a few small marks consistent with age (photographed), markers and signature intact. A genuine, untouched military-style dial, not a redial.
- Hands: Original luminous cathedral hands with aged lume, blued seconds hand intact.
- Case: Stainless steel with honest wear — light scratches, some plating/finish wear at points; caseback UG shield and markings legible.
- Crystal: Acrylic, light surface marks.
- Crown: Signed, functional.
- Strap: Brown leather, aftermarket, worn.
Specifications
- Brand: Universal Genève
- Era: 1940s–1950s
- Movement: UG cal. 332, 17 jewels, manual wind
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds
- Case: Stainless steel, ~27mm (excl. crown), ref 206502, serial 1497630
- Dial: Original silvered military-style (honest patina)
- Crystal: Acrylic
- Strap: Brown leather (aftermarket)
- Condition: Honest unrestored vintage, running and keeping generally good time
What to Know
Universal Genève is a genuinely blue-chip vintage name — a true manufacture whose chronographs and Polerouters are highly collected, which brings strong buyer interest to even their time-only pieces. This example pairs the respected cal. 332 movement with a lovely original military-style dial (applied arrowhead markers, cathedral hands, blued central seconds) showing honest, attractive patina. The one thing to be aware of is the size: at approximately 30mm excluding the crown, this is a small watch by modern standards — true to its 1940s–50s origins, and well suited to a smaller wrist, or to a collector who appreciates authentic vintage proportions and the "small watch" trend. The dial is original and unrestored — as with all collectable vintage, a redial would harm value, and this honest dial is the piece's great strength.