Universal Genève Polerouter Sub 869120/02 Red Bezel

This marvelous Universal Genève Polerouter Sub is a diver's watch from the 1960's. The first appearance of the Polerouter Sub was in 1961. After short 8 years the production stopped in 1968. This particular example is one of the later models with a red bakelite bezel and dates back to 1968.

The striking dial design, along with the red Bakelite bezel and asymmetric case, makes this watch exceptionally beautiful. The black dial has a spectacular look that is created by many tiny details. The hour markers have a distinctive shape that is unique to the Polerouter Sub: tritium square enclosed in a white U. The hour and minute hands are both filled with original tritium. The minute hand is outlined in orange. A red horizontal line divides the dial into an upper and a lower half. The dial is signed "Automatic" and "SWISS-T". The date window at 3 o'clock has a trapezoidal shape. On the acrylic crystal a magnifying glass is attached. In addition, the plexi glass is marked with the small letter U in the middle, which speaks for its originality. Today, it is almost impossible to find a genuine, signed crystal with the trapezoidal date magnifier.

The stainless steel case is thicker on the crown side, giving the case an asymmetrical shape. This case was designed by Gerald Genta to protect the crown during diving. The screwed winding crown is signed with a U and is correct for this Polerouter Sub model. Powered by the automatic movement 1-69, this Polerouter Sub delivers excellent time keeping to this day.

A cool highlight of this watch is the red bakelite bezel. The old bakelite bezels are very prone to cracking and damage, which makes a well-preserved bezel rare. The watch offered here has a nearly immaculate bezel that could retain its rich red color to this day. The hour markers 1 to 11, seconds markings between 0 and 5 o'clock and the tritium triangle at 12 o'clock are completely intact.

In addition to the reference number, the serial number is also engraved on the outside of the case back. And with this particular example both numbers are readable until today. That's a pretty rare and important feature. On most watches, these numbers are no longer visible due to wear and polishing. Don't forget that these watches are over 60 years old and it is natural that they have been polished over the years. That makes unpolished examples like the one offered here extremely rare and sought after.

This Universal Genève Polerouter Sub is an extremely rare opportunity for a discerning vintage collector.

Serial number: 2792xxx (1969)

Int.Exe.: 90930