{"product_id":"universal-geneve-1","title":"Universal Geneve","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUniversal Genève' ferrovie dello stato' \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUniversal Geneve is a wonderful horological place to be. You can gaze at the beauty of their chronographs such as the Compax, Aero-Compax and Tri-Compax (1930s-40s), or just admire the simple yet stunning designs of the Polerouter created to assist pilots cross the north pole. It’s probably safe to say, as a humble beginner in the watch world, that they can probably stand their ground with any of the big manufacturers of the last century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a watch manufacturer with history.  And who doesn’t like a story ?  Universal Geneve was commissioned by the Italian State Railway company to make watches for its staff from 1964 to the mid-1970s. UG produced some 82,000 watches and over that decade there were three different models and mine is the second iteration; which was produced from 1969 to 1974.  This beauty is the UG Ferrovie dello Stato (“FS”, for the Italian State Railway).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike the less common ‘Series 1’ the dial is a stunning creamy white enamel with impressed arabic numerals - it really is lovely to behold. The cushion-shaped case is 36mm (excluding crown), there is a sub-second register, signed crown and a beautiful engraved 'FDS' on the case back. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe movement, which is common to all three series is Universal Geneve Caliber 64.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe excellent online magazine Rescapement has written a very good item on the series.  https:\/\/www.rescapement.com\/blog\/universal-geneve-fs-the-perfect-introduction-to-vintage-watches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTech Specs.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c\/b\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear\u003c\/b\u003e:  c.1969-74\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement\u003c\/b\u003e:  Cal.64 manual wind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eService History:\u003c\/b\u003e  unknown\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDial:\u003c\/b\u003e glossy white with black raised numerals\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase\u003c\/b\u003e:  stainless steel case with stainless steel snap-on caseback\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeasurements: \u003c\/b\u003e 36mm (case diameter), 41mm lug-to-lug, 10mm thickness\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Resistant:\u003c\/b\u003e  No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/b\u003e  Acrylic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrown\u003c\/b\u003e:  signed Universal Geneve\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eStrap\/Bracelet:  \u003c\/b\u003eNew brown\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eleather strap  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLug Widt\u003c\/b\u003eh:  19mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox \u0026amp; Papers\u003c\/b\u003e: No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarranty\u003c\/b\u003e: 3 months\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWatches modelled on a 7” (18cms) wrist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIts easy to get nostalgic and wistful over a railway watch; there's something intrinsically romantic about the life on the tracks. This state gift to the workers is firstly practical though; extremely legible, accurate and plain. But plain in a good way. The cushion case is still sharp and unpolished, the dial is stunning with its raised numerals on the glossy white dial and its beating strongly and accurately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe watch is in good condition but does of course have scratches and marks from a full and useful life (please see the images). The movement, which is running very well, could do with a service at some time in the future. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAll aboard !!  Tutti a bordo \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage Chronicle","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55212874236241,"sku":"0002","price":975.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/4148\/5649\/files\/0002_Universal_Geneve_FS_Hero-16.jpg?v=1791821965","url":"https:\/\/www.vintagechronicle.co.uk\/products\/universal-geneve-1","provider":"Vintage Chronicle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}