Universal Geneve "FS" Italian Railway Watch "Mark 2"
Ref: 864 107
Specification
Lugs : 19.5mm
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 box or paperwork. The watch comes paired with a well-suited leather strap. The watch is from Circa. 1966/69 and is sold in worn, vintage condition, but overall fair condition as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a Universal Geneve "FS" Italian Railway Watch "Mark 2" with a 36mm cushion-shaped stainless steel case, Ferrovie Dello Stato (“FS”, for the Italian State Railway) was a symbol of rebuilding since its decimation during World War 2, removing the stigma of the Fascist they developed high-speed and even some electric trains for these newly built lines. The watch was given to workers and was produced from the mid-1960s with the “Mark 1” up to the mid-1970s with this “Mark 2”. The gentle curve of the case leads to a lug-to-lug length of 41mm and a case thickness of 10mm, at 3 o’clock we have the crown. A smooth thin bezel holds a domed crystal above a striking white dial, an outer minute chapter ring is precisely marked with raised Arabic numeral indexes painted black marking the hours. At 6 o’clock a small seconds register slightly recessed and at 12 o’clock we have the Universal Genève motif. The fine pencil hands complete this interesting timepiece. On the reverse a screw-down case back with FS and the sequential serial number engraved into it, inside a Manually Wound Universal Geneve Cal. 64 movement beating at 18,000 beats per hour. The watch comes fitted on a leather strap.
Personal Note
This is the first FS we have stocked and I'm amazed it has taken me this long to get one in finally! I've enjoyed researching the differences between the Mark 1, 2 & 3 examples and I personally think this Mark 2 is the best of the lot at 36mm with the Enamel dial, it doesn't get much better than that! Universal Geneve has grown tremendously over the years among collectors, I don't see this stopping anytime soon, so snap this up if you are interested!
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.