Universal Genève Altesse “Chinese Seal Script” White Dial Ultrathin 842101 (circa early 1970s)

WHY WE CURATED IT:
We’ve had some of these UG Altesse Extra-Plats (ultra thin) before but never with this uncommon dial. Altesse (French for “highness”) were UG’s flagship ultra thin dress responses to their 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 character sets 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 stark white lacquer, making it look somewhat like porcelain. 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:
8.5/10, with some hairlines and micro-nicks from honest careful wear over the last half century. Overall presentation, edges and lines remain sharp and defined, and is possibly unpolished. Crystal, dial and hands are spectacularly clean. Original signed crown. New aftermarket strap and buckle. Movement serviced with a 6-month warranty, returning near-spec power reserve, exemplary amplitude, low beat error and accurate to ±25 secs/day averaged from 6 timegrapher positions.

DIMENSIONS:
31.3mm width excl. crown
37.1mm length incl. lugs
6.5mm thickness
16mm lug width
Visual dial width ~26mm
Wrist in photos is 15.8cm in circumference

CRYSTAL:
Acrylic

CASE:
Steel

WATER RESISTANCE:
Assumed none, as per vintage watches

STRAP:
Aftermarket matte black 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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