eBay Find: Universal Genève Polerouter Sub 869109/01

Though the Polerouter is probably best known in its Deluxe or Jet guise, the Sub is an equally competent vintage value. Introduced first in EPSA Super Compressor form, the Sub went on to live a long and illustrious run of references. That is, as long as any UG line can be said to have been around. Their second crack at the Submariner included some of the most quirky font selections ever emblazon a dial. In addition, the case became a more traditional diver’s with rotating bezel and even unique cyclops. There’s a lot to love here. So let’s, ahem, dive on in (kill me).

The Polerouter Sub took Universal’s lauded pilot’s offering and made it a beast of the seas. The dial was a highly legible affair with trapezoidal hands, trapezoidal cyclops, trapezoidal indices, tritium, huge acrylic crystal dome, oversized crown, and all the charm one could hope for. Importantly, the cal-69 micro rotor remained, as defiantly innovative in this application as it was for the early Polerouter. This relatively thin calibre allowed a relatively thin case in the Polerouter, though here this dive case is shared across the Titus Calypsomatic and Technos Sky Diver. The lugs wrap very aggressively downward, allowing this 37mm case to wear even slighter than one would expect.

This example appears quite original. Its dial has glorious golden tritium, matched in the huge handset plots. The case is sharp, with some brushing even still visible. The movement appears clear of corrosion and correctly signed. It comes from a private French collector. Do your own research, please. There’s a lot to learn with these. I recommend the Spring Bar’s guide.

Find this Polerouter Sub here on eBay France for 4500 EUR.