RESTORING A DESIGN ICON: Gerald Genta's Universal Geneve Polerouter

[@frodriguezpc]

Green with envy right now!! That Polerouter is sooo gorgeous!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is a nice one. I am really fortunate

[@ygrbooks]

Thank you for this beautiful video. The more Universal Genève watches I see, the more I admire this company: their watches are complex, but functional and just incredibly well made.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

You are 100% right on this. I am working on Jaeger Chrono with a UG movement. It is so nice. Hopefully the video will be out in few weeks

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

@@FrenchWatchCollector That should be ''epic''‼️®️™️

[@KurtHalfyard]

Highly Pleasurable watch. I like your commentary, and 'quiz' in the middle about the mainspring! Always learning. I also love the SILVER track on the outside of this watch.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you for the nice comment. The track is so nice and this where you could see the genius of Gerald Genta in term of design

[@JOHNAPRIL123]

Sharp piece by a master designer! Chapeau, monsieur !

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thanks John

[@watchsixto]

Awesome work mate bring a classic back to life

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is a really nice classic. Really enjoyed working on it

[@DaveMGmovies]

Wonderful service. Always been a classic design but this is the first time I've seen such detail of the movement -- and what a beauty.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Great watch and great movement

[@nzieses]

Stunning!!!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thanks

[@eloygagogonzalez7330]

I love the Polerouter!!!!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is a nice watch

[@eloygagogonzalez7330]

@@FrenchWatchCollector very, very nice.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@eloygagogonzalez7330 thank you

[@miguelbazaes1409]

good work, I did service a Universal 231 and as this a nice movment, congratulatios .

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you very much!

[@francispalmer9737]

Always a pleasure to watch and listen to you working on these beautiful vintage watches. Thank you.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

My pleasure!

[@coetroy]

I just found out about these! They are so beautiful. So glad you’re restoring one. Wonderful job.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I love them too

[@johnmonachelli5256]

stellar piece

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you

[@sdavifcom]

Superb classical design and very chic. It seems that all the watches you restore are gorgeous. Very nice workmanship. Thank you for sharing.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you for watching Serge

[@ChevyBM]

I am studying at The Finnish School of Watchmaking and I managed to find a Polerouter no date from 1957, the watch was partly taken apart and the dial was missing and the pallet fork had a broken pinion and the jewls of the balance were broken and the hairspring had broke from the fastening point. I managed to find a pallet fork with the pinion in good condition, so I took the pinion of and installed it on the other pallet fork and then the new original jewls. The other pinions needed some polishing and adjustments and damn the hairspring took some work to get twisted into the right form. Next week I will put it all together and start making some adjustments to get the amplitude up and the beat error under 0,5. I found a original dial for it also. This is a beautiful and historically important watch, I just cant wait to wear it! Mine has the 215 movement. I still would like to find a original Universal Geneve crown and clasp for it. Nice video you made!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

A not of work to do on this watch. It is great and I just watch to keep for life

[@gregcapella5941]

Great watch,,,Great video

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you Greg

[@kaizokuoni]

We LOVE Polerouters!!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I love them too

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Hello, a very nice: video , watch and restoration ! A delight!thank you

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@csanadbarczy9153]

Gorgeous piece! Very similar to Buren 1000 movement. It's a lot of fun working on them.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Yes they are nice

[@hockeyrd99]

Thought the watch had the date at the 6 after you installed that crystal... lol Glad you re-positioned it! Great job. Also, I think you could get away with cleaning up that case a little and still consider it original.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you for the comment. The case went trough a cleaning cycle in an ultrasonic machine. The case is a bit scratched but I don't like to repolish the case

[@brucebarlow6604]

Perfect lovely Watch and great work as always. Keep well from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you Bruce

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

Of course, not any kind of expert, but watched many watch videos. that is the first micro rotor I've seen, very unusual to go with the very unusual/distinct crown wheel....‼️®️™️

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Micro rotors are great.

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

@@FrenchWatchCollector very very cool‼️®️™️ ☑️☑️

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

Being an ex union projectionist, IATSE local 230 projection union (Denver, Colorado), watches and movie projectors are extremely similar, in that they have multiple complications built into their assemblies‼️®️™️☑️☑️

[@jgalvezluna]

Beautiful video! Thanks!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thanks for the nice comment

[@alanmckinnon6791]

A PoleRouter? OMG, you are killing me with restoring and servicing so many of these classic iconic watches! Now to settle down for what I expect to be a wonderful 37:42!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you Alan

[@BradyBegeman]

Great work!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@pandoble]

Great video with great explanations. Can I ask how much this service costs? What would you charge a customer for this job?

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

You can go on my website. You will have all the information frenchwatchcollector.com/

[@pandoble]

@@FrenchWatchCollector thank you!

[@Knives183]

Awesome job! That doesn't look like an easy movement to work on. Also I noticed in the video that the cyclop was not aligned properly when you pressed it in the case ;-) Continue le bon boulot mec!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

True that it looks not align with this camera angle but when it is on my wrist and looking at it the angle is perfect

[@UglowD]

It was in between the lugs!

[@mikebruegger8654]

Cyclops magically moved!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

This is the power of editing 😂

[@Collectorsguideclub]

Love it and keep support yiu

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you very much

[@Collectorsguideclub]

@@FrenchWatchCollector learn a lot from your channel , I do love the style and techniques, as I hope one day can restore Watch like you , of coz I know is not easy , so your video is so satisfying and enjoyable . I am a serious supporter and hope joining your event , and having this watch you restored , and will keep it and make it so memorable, ! I wish this will happen! And make more classic times piece restore! 😉

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@Collectorsguideclub thank you for the support and good luck with the giveaway

[@Collectorsguideclub]

@@FrenchWatchCollector thank you

[@Collectorsguideclub]

@@FrenchWatchCollector looking forward to your next success and video!

[@carlrees5574]

Some ETA movements are the same, The ETA 2001 is counter clockwise. When the ratchet on the barrel sits on the top when placed in the movement its a counter clockwise wound mainspring...

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Yes I saw few movements with the mainspring in the other direction. Just dud not pay attention during the reassembly

[@WatchClyde]

Which would you choose between this and the Omega Constellation Pie Pan 168.005?

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Personally this one without hesitation. It is a chrono so much more complicated, rarer and with a killer caliber inside. The omega is much more basic but after is a personal choice

[@pafeso1659]

I got a polerouter and its beautiful! Its nice to see what the parts look like. But mine seems to be making a scratching noise when the rotor spins, should i get it checked out? Or is this normal

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I think you should get it checked out. It is not normal

[@douro20]

Universal Geneve was the first company to produce a microrotor automatic movement.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

And it is a nice one

[@jeffreybrown8749]

What kind of jar is that you use to put the jewels in to was them? It's got the red lid on top.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is called an epilame bottle

[@rbruce63]

Hello from Costa Rica! haven't been able to sort out the loose microrotor on my CAL 218/2. However, as per the instructions on the Hamblar web site, I replaced the micro rotor arbor to no avail. Not even a slight improvement. Worse! The micro rotor is starting to erode the back of the case so I stopped using it. I believe it's an issue with the ruby in the core of the micro rotor could it be that the ruby is worn? I have been thinking on sending it to Europe for fixing. I do have friends in Berlin for instance. There were no Universal Geneve distributors here or so it seems! Any suggestions are welcome!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is always difficult to trouble shoot a watch without seeing it. Normally the post will wear down before the jewel but can happen the the jewel is broken or wear down

[@rbruce63]

@@FrenchWatchCollector Thank you very much for your answer! I believe that the micro rotor wasn't correctly assembled! I'll try to ascertain this with another watchmaker!

[@kendallwi]

Did he put the crystal back with the date cyclop at 6?

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Yes it was not aligned properly first. It was rectified after

[@davidlondon5241]

What did you use to clean the pivots tHan great video

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

This is what I am using www.cousinsuk.com/product/pin-polishers-eveflex

[@carlrees5574]

lovely job and great result, unfortunately and i'm sure you know its is missing the bezel - probably a gold cap. such a shame these were removed and melted down for the gold value😫 mind still a beautiful watch

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I was not sure 100% on the bezel but It doesn't look bad without

[@carlrees5574]

@@FrenchWatchCollector yes unfortunately, they were solid gold and i think a lot got taken for the value, Ive seen loads for sale like this and can be had for about 1/4 of the value if it still had the original bezel

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@carlrees5574 it is true that I did not see many with the gold bezel when i looked for it

[@standesignca]

Hello, Great video..I have one in 18K Gold it need service and a crown...can you help?

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I can definitely help. Just drop me a message on Instagram

[@Silverman10]

Hello! did you solve the problem ? how much worth your watch ?

[@standesignca]

@@Silverman10 I sent it back to Universal for full overhaul..should get it back soon. I'm looking forward to seeing the work performed. My hope is it will look like new. High hopes I'm sure

[@carlrees5574]

That mainspring is counter clockwise, you have wound it clockwise....

[@carlrees5574]

As i have just seen you explained it..

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Yes it is a big mistake 🤣

[@_guillermo]

Cheeky cyclop 😉

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is a special one

[@billiondollardan]

How long does it take for you to finish the average watch restoration? It seems like you have to do a lot to do on each of these

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Depend on the watch but it will range from 2h to 8h I would say. It depends what need to be done on the watch and the complexity of the movement

[@billiondollardan]

@@FrenchWatchCollector that's even faster than I thought!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@billiondollardan after as I said it depends on a lot of things

[@andyrobinson1138]

The crystal is not over the number window

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I changed it at the end as you can see

[@andyrobinson1138]

Hmmm you put the crystal in wrong first time. I guess you realised .

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Yes I changed it after

[@ramnathmeena3835]

Tweezers not in correct shape because by this tweezer you can't hold the spare parts , this tweezer need proper shape

[@alialdemir3458]

Kasayı temizleyip parlatmadan güzel olmadı.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

😉

[@f1hotrod527]

Why refurbish the Crystal and not the case. All the watch restorers do this. If you want to keep the history leave the crystal. I would have liked to seen the case cleaned up. I think the watch does not show its full glory with the case finish all messed up.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

A lot of collectors prefer to keep the case untouched or else it loses value

[@Sticky_White_Stuff]

poorly aligned magnifier lol

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

The first time it was not right. I had to realign it

[@Sticky_White_Stuff]

@@FrenchWatchCollector I noticed that the first time it was completely wrong, but even in your final assembly, if you left it the way it is in the video, it is not aligned with the date window. When you look at the watch straight from the top, the magnifier is lower than the date window.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@Sticky_White_Stuff yes I had to realign it after. This is what I meant