Horological Meandering

Let's first give back to Cesar what belongs to Cesar. Ervin PIQUEREZ gave birth in the 60ies to a new family of Diving watches, the Super Compressor Cases, with his invention patended on the 15th May 1956. He was not a watch maker, but a case manufacturer...  

Wow, Nicolas... What a post! Simply a great work made, for us pleasure and watches's learn. I must say that the compressor case watches are one of the most beautiful families ever made... Some Hits in this family like the jlc, the LOngines, Iwc, or the sa... 

It is my personal taste, but I love this round shape, the sexy plexy, and this characteristic design from the 60ies. Therefore, for once, they are, for most of them, very affordable. So you don't have to sell your house to get one. Thanks for your nice wo... 

Very interesting post, far beyond my horological knowledge, but I appreciated reading it. Thanks ! Emmanuel

Just the pleasure to learn and to share! You know the saying: " When something is nice and interesting, you have no merit to speak about it "... Thanks for the nice words. Best, Nicolas

I am wearing my Legend Diver today while I read and admired your presentation on this UG vintage beauty. Great pictures and perhaps the perfect strap (wrist pic) to complete the vintage look. I find the thinness of this particular compressor case quite in... 

What's not to love? Yes, you're right when you point out the thinness of the case, much thinner than on the Plaris or the Longines! You can proudly wear your Longines Diver, this is another great example of these Compressor Case watches! Best, my friend, ... 

Nicolas, you have opened my eyes to a whole new style of watch. J.

I'm afraid i still feel a little bit unsure about throwing great eulogies at this family of watch. Looking in the back of nearly all the 42mm variants leaves me with the feeling the cases were purposefully sized to ensure that one size fitted all and that... 

...somebody within UG had similar thoughts, in a very short space of time (even in a short model run length) the company decided to sack the design and reduce the size in one sitting. Schaffhausen came to the party a little later and may have had by then ... 

You're a difficult client, indeed! There are several points: 1/ As for the " uniformity " of the 42 mm cases, yes, you're right, but the sources are to be find on the Piquerez Patent ( 1956 ), if I got it correctly. 2/ Does this " architecture " work for ... 

...."Client" before Nic...least not on a internet forum. Not sure about difficult either, afterall i'm here to chat watches and this is a watch forum not the shopping channel (wink). I perhaps have got you too legged into my point because my opinion in th... 

" Good Client " in French means "easy to convince ". A Great watch may have also different meanings: It may be great for its aesthetic, for the level of finish, for the originality / Innovation, and also because it became an iconic watch. Yes, the FF are ... 

...i like the styling of UG product....they remind me of Citroen cars for some reason. Take care fella Catherine.

To discover and learn new things, every day. These one may represent an interesting and original alternative to the most known Rolex Subs, Fifty Fathoms or Omega SM 300. Enjoy, and thanks for your enthusiastic comment. Best, Nicolas

Excellent post, Nicolas....  

. . . and very likely the most intriguing of the lot . . . cordially, Art

May you tell us ore about this one? More pics, too? I was secretely hoping that some, here, would feed this thread with more compressor watches, and you didn't deceive me! Best, Nicolas

This watch is not mine, but was sold some time ago by a dealer from whom I have bought watches. I found the dial to be very interesting, but never researched its exact use. Best regards, Tony

i'm not a diver so cant tell you a lot, but its intended to match depth with time stops so you know how long to stop for at which depth. the new Vulcain Cricket nautical has it on as well. Graham

. . . much appreciated. Cordially, Art

a great report Compressors are impressive cases Thanks Cheers

I don't know if the report is great, but the watches are...At least! Best, Nicolas

usually are... Cheers

. . . for their compact integrated planetary bi-directional rotor, but also because they had exceptionally long power reserves for a single barrel design. I've been drawn to the UG (and Buren) micro-rotors for quite some time now, and as much as Nicolas a... 

I'd be pleased to learn more about the movement. Is it unique to UG or is it based on something else. I'm of course familiar with the more modern Patek and LUC movements with micro-rotors but know nothing about this movement. It looks interesting. Thanks ... 

All the Polerouer, Sub, or not: Cal 215, 218, 1- 69, and 72 used this special configuration. The first movement used in the Polerouter was the cal 138, it didn't have the micro rotor, but a bumper system. It seems that Buren also worked on a micro rotor, ... 

I'm rating its accuracy and the first results are really awesome! Best, my dear friend. Nicolas

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. . . they are more similar than not, starting with dimensions (both 12.5 "', movement height was shallower in the UG 215 by .10 mm at 4.10 mm vs 4.20 in the Buren 1000A) and with very similar bidirectional winding systems that were the subject of a paten... 

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Clear, crisp, technical and passionate; a pleasure to read. Congratulations. Best regards, Francesco

I tried to do my best to give some justice with my poor Borat English to this less known Compressor Watch. We ( I, in fact ) speak too often about the Polaris, but this line hides so many treasures to (re )discover. Recently I fell on a Lip Nautic with an... 

I beg to differ : ) Cheers

" If you're kind enough with me, I will let you use my Sister "... Horrible...Just Horrible. Best, Nicolas

...of this fantastic vintage piece at some future date from Universal Geneve? What are your thoughts? The company does still exist as a watchmaking concern, does it not? A re-edition of the UG Polerouter Sub could be an interesting project indeed. It woul... 

a re-edition would be very interesting Cheers

See U.G Releasing such a re edition. Can you imagine? We would have U.G joining the club of the re editited compressr watches, after Longines, JLC, and IWC. Like in the golden hours of Horology! Dreams are made to be realized... Best, Daos. Nicolas

impressed with the IWC vintage diver..... Cheers

Much bigger than the original, less the Charm... Sad. Nicolas

so much the size as the whole ambiance that this watch projects to me.... Cheers

That is the Harmony of this watch which speaks to me a lot, too. Best, Nicolas

thanks a lot, Nico. well done for a great post again. enjoyed reading that, the great thing was to learn something new as well. after seeing all these, i am getting much like this kind of sub watches, i should start to hunt one for my collection. thanks f... 

a great review of a great watch. the super compressor case is a excellent design and add the micro rotor movement you have something superb indeed. i have my eye on a 64 UG polerouter non sub single crown with 218-2 calibre. no where near the history of a... 

Chopard, if I'm not wrong, and of course...Patek Philippe: Cal 240! Thanks for the nice words, my friend, but I still thin soem, here and there, much deserve this honorific title! Best, Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-07-08 13:33:1... 

If I convinced you to hunt one, that is the nicest compliment someone may give me! Thanks a lot, and good hunt, my friend. Check the condition of the crowns, and the movement, too. And avoid these crappy Polerouter subs with a military engraving " Ordonna... 

would you believe i saw one for sale only 2 days ago. pm for details. Graham

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A shame! Best, Nicolas

Nico, you are not only inspired me about sub watches, but also other ones, e.g. geomatic which i am still hunting for... thanks once again. stefan

Perfect... Best, Nicolas...  

A very informative post, Nicolas. And she went from being a beauty to absolutely gorgeous following the servicing. I think the thinness of the case makes UG stand out against the others. Nice to see UG featured on the forum. tempusfugit This message has b... 

I was lucy enogh to know a good wath maker who was able to impeccably service it. So, the outcome is stunning, indeed. As for U.G, I can't agree more with you. So many marvels came out from this Manufacture, like the Polerouter, sub or not, and different ... 

Thanks for this wonderful post Nicolas. I recently purchased one of these as well, it really knocked my socks off. I don't think I'll ever sell this one - far more impressive in person that I expected. The compressor case, the dial, the iconic movement, e... 

Very happy to know that you jumped on it, my friend. Any chance to get pics of yours? I can't agree more on your appreciation on this watch. All is here, to make of this watch a GREAT watch, at least to me. Best, Nicolas

I have to say thanks for posting this. The biggest trouble with these cases is trying to find one that hasn't had it's caseback scratched up by someone who had no idea how to open the case. Then they get heavily polished out and lose all the interesting m... 

Yes, thi swould be interesting to have the complete list of Super Compressor Cases, and Single crown compressor watches. We will discover names we hardly now or hear about... This may be a thread for you, my friend. With PICS! Best, Nicolas

Isn't it sexy? Best, Nicolas...  

Hi Nicolas Great post !!! After the Super compressor ..... UG came out with the following... Then next version of the Polrouter Sub.... departure of the supercompressor case... Hi all This was the interm version before the bigger asymmetrical case that fo...  

Bill, you seem to have every vintage piece we mention :) i've just picked up a 1964 UG Polerouter date. one of the last 218-2 calibres as they bought out the 69 the same year. luckily the inside of the case is clearly month/year stamped. just got to wait ... 

Hi Graham This is a STRONG very much UG answer to the 1016 Rolex Explorer... screw down crown The dial discoloration was due to the fitting of the incorrect crystal.. I have corrected that .. Something to keep an eye out for... Hey Graham you know from ti...  

nice one Bill. not quite the same as mine as yours is the 'super' and slightly later, but pretty much the same. mine has a black dial with chromed index ring. no bracelet sadly. if you find anything from that particular year i'd be very interested, but i'... 

Hi guys here is my example of a single crown super compressor... and the caseback.... Simple ... Good Hunting Bill Sohne...  

What an interesting post. Just what I was looking for. I have just bought my first Polerouter Sub and I have a couple of questions. The Sub I bought has a 218 cal movement. Is this the correct calibre for the Sub? I LOVE the distressed tan leather strap o... 

Duck, the Polerouter specialist website i always refer too states that the double crown model had a 215 and then 68 calibre movements in them. as the 218 follows the 215 and comes before the 68 its entirely possible that they also used the 218. best Graha...