1967 Universal Geneve Linen Dial 31mm Ultra-Thin Cal. 42
Ref: 842101
Specification
Lugs : 16mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as “Watch Only” and therefore comes with no original Universal box or original Universal Geneve paperwork. The watch comes paired with a well-suited 16mm leather strap and UG pin buckle. The watch dates from Circa. 1967 and is sold in worn vintage condition; signs of age can be seen on the watch. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qGLiy808mSN_zRPI29w8cg0P5kc0zk1N?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 20:39 - https://youtu.be/Y8FRsGBEwzs
The Watch
Here we have a 1967 Universal Geneve Linen Dial Manually Wound Cal. 42 31mm stainless steel case that comfortably sits on your wrist with tapered lugs, and a lug-to-lug length of 37.5mm and a case thickness of just 6mm create an incredibly thin profile perfect for any occasion. On the right side is the UG-signed push/pull crown, a bevel-edged smooth bezel holds a domed crystal above an attractive silver linen dial with an interesting vertical pattern. Applied stick indexes mark the hours and slender stick hands sit perfectly in the centre, at 12 o’clock we have the Universal Geneve motif completing this beautifully executed vintage dress watch. On the reverse a snap-off case back, inside a high-grade manually wound Universal Geneve Cal. 42, 17 jewels. The watch comes paired with a well-suited 16mm leather strap and UG pin buckle.
Personal Note
I always love it when the most affordable watch in the drop is also one of my favourites! This model will be slept on by most due to the smaller case size at 31mm, but be sure to see it on my 7-inch wrist, it looks far larger and wears beautifully! Pair that with the fact it is only 6mm thick, insanely thin for a mechanical watch, especially in 1967! Snap this up and add it to your collection, give smaller watches a chance and you'll realise that there are so many smaller watches not getting the attention they deserve and therefore are priced so well!
The Brand
Universal Genève was founded in 1894 in Le Locle, Switzerland as Universal Watch, by two Horology students Ulysses-Georges Perret and Numa-Emile Descombes. By 1919 they had moved their operations to Geneva and renamed the brand Universal Genève. They have been owned by Stelux, a Hong Kong investment group, since 1989. In December of 2023, it was announced that The Partners Group, a private equity firm that owns a majority stake in Breitling, is planning to acquire the Swiss luxury watch brand Universal Genève from Stelux Holdings. This Hong Kong-based holding company has been the brand's custodian since 1989. Over the years, Universal Genève has struggled to gain investment and marketing direction under Stelux Holdings, leading the brand to fall behind its competitors in the luxury watch market. However, the acquisition by The Partners Group is expected to change that. The move is largely driven by Georges Kern, the CEO of Breitling, who has expressed his desire to bring back the historical brand and help it regain its former glory. Kern has successfully turned around the fortunes of Breitling since he took over in 2017, and he is expected to apply the same strategy to Universal Genève. The acquisition comes at a time when there is increased interest in vintage watches, particularly those made by Universal Genève. The brand's vintage timepieces have been fetching record prices at auctions, indicating a renewed interest in the brand. With the cash infusion from The Partners Group, Universal Genève is expected to launch new models and expand its product line to cater to the growing demand for luxury vintage watches. The market is receptive to new offerings from the brand, and the acquisition is seen as a positive step towards reviving Universal Genève's reputation as a leading luxury watch brand.