Universal Genève Altesse “Chinese Seal Script” Gold w/ Champagne Dial Ref. 542101 (circa early 1970s)

WHY WE CURATED IT:
We’ve had some of these UG Altesse Extra-Plats (ultra thin) before but only once with this uncommon dial variant, in white, in a steel case. Now we have the gold variant! Altesse (French for “highness”) were UG’s flagship ultra thin dress responses to competitors and were canvasses for a variety of unique dials, including this uncommon “Seal Script” version (often wrongly stated as Kanji or other oriental styles). Believed to be hand-painted to channel scholastic and artisanal calligraphy vibes, seal script dials made UG one of the pioneer European watchmakers to embrace and normalise foreign language dials before Eastern Arabics and Devanagari numerals became a thing. Seal script is an ancient Qin Dynasty calligraphic style notably used in financial documents and seal stamps because of their decorative and elaborate ornateness making it harder to alter or forge by just adding strokes. The dial surface is a champagne lacquer to complement the gold-plated case. A lovely representation of cultural respect and acceptance back in the day and a very versatile, elegant daily or statement piece today. Serviced and warrantied.

CONDITION:
9/10, with minimal hairlines and micro-nicks from honest careful wear over the last half century. Possibly unpolished. Hands are pristine. Dial has no spidering with a couple of tiny spots of aging. Crystal has microscopic marks visible only under magnification. Original signed crown. New aftermarket strap and buckle. Movement serviced with a 6-month warranty, returning to-spec power reserve, exemplary amplitude, negligible beat error and accurate to ±15 secs/day averaged from 6 timegrapher positions.

DIMENSIONS:
31.2mm width excl. crown
37.6mm length incl. lugs
6.1mm thickness
16mm lug width
Visual dial width ~26mm
Wrist in photos is 15.8cm in circumference

CRYSTAL:
Acrylic

CASE:
Steel, gold-plating

WATER RESISTANCE:
Assumed none, as per vintage watches

STRAP:
Aftermarket matte burgundy croc-embossed and aftermarket buckle (14mm)

CALIBRE:
Universal Genève Cal. 1-42, 2-hander manual-winding

COMES WITH:
Watch, aftermarket strap & buckle

TERMS OF SALE:
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