Lot 477

Universal Genève

Polerouter Sub

An extremely rare vintage Geneva diving wristwatch with centre seconds, first generation

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In 1961, Universal Genève expanded their Polerouter line, which was introduced in 1954, to include a larger and more robust diver's wristwatch and launched the Polerouter Sub in various versions. This Polerouter Sub is one of the early examples of the reference 20369/1. The characteristic features of this model is the large steel case, the white hour markers with small tritium dots inside each of the markers, the inner rotating bezel and the two crowns. The lower one is fluted and is used for manually setting the time; the upper crown features the "U" logo and operates the inside stop watch bezel to set the diving time. This bezel is positioned directly on the edge of the dial under the crystal to make accidental readjustment during the dive impossible. The case is waterproof and the heavy case back possesses an inner super compressor area, which increases watertightness in greater depth and compresses it further under higher pressure. Inside the watch is the in-house micro-rotor calibre 218-9 with automatic winding.
This Polerouter Sub is a particularly interesting example that is in excellent overall condition and rarely offered on the market. The dial has hardly any signs of age. The hour markers are in very good condition and the luminous dots have taken on a beautiful cream colour. The luminous material of the hands has darkened and taken on a soft green colour. The case is in very good condition, the reference and serial numbers are still clearly visible on the case back. Some light scratches are evidence of its use as a diving watch, but are consistent with age and normal wear.