Universal Genève Caliber 1-42 542136 (1970-1979)

Now available at auction from Second Vintage A classic and elegant dress watch from Universal Genève, this 1970s timepiece is distinguished by its beautifully preserved, vertically brushed gold-tone dial and classic black Roman numeral indices. Powered by the manual wind caliber 1-42, it offers refined vintage presence on the wrist. Brand: Universal Genève Reference Number: 542136 Serial Number: 3260585 Movement: Manual wind caliber 1-42 Dial: Vertically brushed gold-tone with black Roman numerals Case Size: 32 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-tone with stainless steel caseback Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: +7+10s/day, performing remarkably well. Dial and Hands The pristine and elegant dial features a vertically brushed gold-tone finish that beautifully catches the light. Crisp black printed Roman numerals provide excellent contrast alongside the matching black stick hands. Both the dial and hands demonstrate excellent preservation, showing a clean surface with no visible spotting, staining, oxidation, or damage. Case and Crystal The gold-tone case features classic straight lugs and an integrated bezel. It displays honest external wear, with surface scratches and minor wear visible on the flanks and bezel. Beneath the stainless steel caseback, which shows light surface scratches, there is significant pitting and corrosion visible on the inner case rim. The watch retains its gold-tone crown, clearly signed with the Universal Genève 'U' logo and featuring crisp fluting. The domed acrylic crystal is clear, with no significant scratches, crazing, or chips visible. Movement Inside is the Universal Genève manual wind caliber 1-42, a 17-jewel unadjusted movement. The plates and bridges appear clean, with only minor marks visible on the screw heads. Despite the corrosion on the surrounding inner case rim, the movement itself is well-preserved. The timegrapher records a strong result of +7+10s/day. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. Strap The watch is fitted with a black leather strap showing signs of wear and creasing. It is secured by a buckle signed with the Universal Genève 'U' logo. The buckle shows heavy plating loss, revealing the base metal beneath, alongside visible green corrosion. Condition Good vintage condition. The dial and hands are exceptionally well-preserved, while the case exhibits honest external wear and significant hidden corrosion on the inner case rim. The leather strap is worn, and the signed buckle shows heavy plating degradation with green corrosion. Supported by the timegrapher reading of +7+10s/day, the movement is performing very strongly. Dimensions The case measures 32 mm, excluding the crown. Remarks This Universal Genève offers an exceptionally clean, vertically brushed Roman numeral dial that presents classic dress watch elegance. Despite the wear to the case and buckle, the caliber 1-42 movement remains well-preserved and is running with impressive accuracy, making this a charming and capable vintage timepiece. History Universal Genève is celebrated by vintage enthusiasts for its elegant designs, innovative micro-rotor movements, and refined dress watches. During the 1970s, the brand continued to produce sophisticated manual wind timepieces utilizing slim calibers like the 1-42, which allowed for sleek, understated case profiles. These classic dress watches reflect an era of traditional Swiss watchmaking focused on handsome aesthetics and reliable mechanical performance. / Second Vintage SKU: UNI-GXX-0005