For sale we have an uncommon and stylish 1937 Universal Geneve full stainless steel tank watch. It is signed with the reference 6199 to the rear. It has a square case design, with ribbed hooded lugs. It has a standout dial design with a black base tone and silver Bauhaus style hour markers. Inside is the manual wind Universal calibre 251 movement, which is keeping accurate time.
The case measures 25mm x 33.25mm and is formed of Stainless Steel. It has a slim bezel, with flat sides to the case. The lugs are of hooded design, with triple ribbed lines. It has fixed steel bars to the rear, one of which is a later replacement. To the right is the original slim coin edge crown. The case back has clear serial number and reference with the original brushed finish. The case remains unpolished.
The dial is an excellent design, which is Bauhaus inspired. A black dial tone in this period is unusual and provides an excellent canvas for expression. The block square hour markers are well balanced, with a double block at 12 O’clock. The other dash markers follow the lines of the case. There is a neat sub-second dial, with a square surround matching the flow of the case. The Universal Geneve signing is clear and neatly positioned.
Inside is the Universal Geneve calibre 251 movement. It is a manual wind movement, with a jewel count of 15 and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. As expected from such a brand, it is a good quality movement for the era. It’s keeping time to within -30 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 1.2m/s.
We love this as it is a stylish and standout piece of 1930s design, in uncommon full steel case, having hooded lugs, with a charming Bauhaus black dial with silver block markers.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in decent condition for the age. It has some pitting around the edge, where the dial sits against the case. It has speckled ageing. It has a circular marking where the movement is mounted against it. The silver accents are good and bright.
Hands:
The hands are original and are of stick style in a silver tone. They have some light marking associated with ageing. The sub-second hand is original.
Glass:
The crystal is original and is in good overall condition. It has some light marking associated with age.
Crown:
The Steel crown is original and is in good condition with some light marking.
Case:
The case is formed of stainless steel and is in decent condition for the age. The main body is good and unpolished with only light surface scratching. The hooded lugs have some pitting, marking and signs of repair to the sides. One fixed bar lug is a later replacement.
Caseback:
The case back is Stainless Steel and is in good condition for the age. It has some light surface scratches associated with age. It maintains the serial number and reference engraving, which are good and clear. It has the original brushed finish and is unpolished.
Strap:
The watch is on a new genuine leather strap with metal tabs for fixed bar lugs.
Movement:
The movement is a Universal Geneve calibre 251. It is a manual wind movement, with a jewel count of 15 and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. As expected, it is a good quality movement for the era.
The service history is unknown, but the watch has been checked over by our watchmaker and is in good condition. It’s keeping time to within -30 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 1.2m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 25.3mm
Case width with crown: 26.5mm
Case length: 25.8mm
Case length lug to lug: 33.25mm
Case Depth: 8.25mm
Lug width: 20mm