Universal Genève Tonneau Watch Steel — Black Lacquered Dial (1970s)
Only 1 available
Shipping from Europe — taxes and customs duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the EU
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Serviced movement & 1 year warranty
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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Atelier Note
An oval of black lacquer set within a tonneau of sculpted steel — signed by the Geneva house that the watchmaking world has been rediscovering since its revival.
A Universal Genève from the 1970s, black and sculpted
This watch is signed Universal Genève — the house founded in 1894, which in the twentieth century was one of the great names of Genève, celebrated for its chronographs and its Polerouter designed by a young Gérald Genta. Long dormant, the brand was revived by Breitling, and since then its vintage watches have been rediscovered by a whole generation of collectors. This one is a feminine piece from the 1970s, reference 811624.
The black lacquered dial, oval in shape, embraces complete restraint: three applied baton hour markers at the quarter hours, the Universal Genève shield at twelve o'clock, the signature in white, and two steel baton hands. Nothing else on the deep lacquer — black does the work.
The tonneau case in polished steel is the true sculpture of this watch: its faceted hooded lugs, cut like scales, envelop the strap and extend the caseband in waves — case work typical of Geneva design in the 1970s, in only 25mm.
The Universal Genève hand-wound mechanical movement has been checked by our partner watchmakers and is guaranteed for one year. The watch is fitted on a later black grained leather strap, with Buckle steel pin buckle.
Three points to note
01
Signed Universal Genève — the Geneva house revived by Breitling, whose vintage is being widely rediscovered.
02
Sculpted caseband — faceted hooded lugs that envelop the strap, the hallmark of Geneva cases from the 1970s.
03
In-house mechanics — a manual Universal Genève calibre in 25mm, checked and guaranteed for one year.
Why choose a vintage Universal Genève?
This pre-owned Universal Genève watch holds a distinctive place among our women's vintage watches: it is an in-house Geneva mechanical movement in a jewellery-sized format — a combination that contemporary watchmaking no longer produces, as quartz has absorbed this segment. The signature itself has never been so closely watched since the brand's revival.
Like all our vintage mechanical watches, this one has been opened and checked by our partner watchmakers: movement verification, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Each vintage watch we offer comes with an Atelier Victor invoice serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and lifetime guaranteed authenticity.
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Technical characteristics
- Brand: Universal Genève
- Model: tonneau dress watch
- Reference: 811624
- Serial number: 34523••
- Estimated year: 1970s
- Origin: Switzerland
- Gender: Women's watch
- Movement: Mechanical hand-wound, caliber Universal Genève 11
- Functions: Hours, minutes
- Case: Polished steel, steel caseback, tonneau shape with faceted hooded lugs
- Width: 25mm (26mm including the crown)
- Lug to lug: 27mm
- Thickness: 6.7mm
- Lug width: 14mm
- Crown: Steel, original
- Dial: Black lacquered, applied baton hour markers, Universal Genève shield, original
- Hands: Steel batons, original
- Crystal: Mineral (condition 9/10)
- Strap: Black grained leather, non-original
- Buckle: Steel pin buckle, non-original
Condition and guarantee
- Overall condition: Very well preserved condition. Crisp black lacquered dial, hour markers and shield without alteration, intact hands, Crystal in very fine condition. The polished case shows light signs of wear on the middle case and the hoods, visible in our photographs.
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Mechanics: Mechanical movement checked, guaranteed for 1 year
- Included: Atelier Victor invoice
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently asked questions
What is Universal Genève?
It is one of the great historic houses of Genève, founded in 1894, famed in the twentieth century for its Compax chronographs and its Polerouter designed by a young Gérald Genta. Long dormant, the brand was acquired and revived by Breitling — an event that rekindled collectors' interest in all its vintage pieces, from chronographs to dress pieces like this one.
Why does the dial have only three hour markers?
By design choice: on the black lacquer, the house's shield serves as noon, and three hour markers are enough to structure the reading. It is the minimalism of Geneva dress watches from the 1970s — the dial can be read at a glance, and the black remains intact. The steel hands stand out against the lacquer with all the necessary clarity.
How do you wind a hand-wound watch?
Gently turn the crown clockwise, about twenty turns, until you feel resistance. Never force it beyond that point. Daily winding, at the same time each day, is enough to keep the watch running and ensures the best regularity.
A mechanical movement in a 25mm women's watch?
Yes — and it has become rare. Mechanical ladies' calibres, miniaturized to the extreme, have all but disappeared with the arrival of quartz: the industry now produces almost none in this size. This watch beats to the rhythm of a movement from a Geneva house, wound by hand — an experience no longer offered by new watches in this size.
Is this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?
At 25mm wide, 27mm Lug-to-lug and 6.7mm thick, it is a jewelry-sized format, intended for slim to medium wrists — a guideline, never a rule: everyone wears what they like. Its hooded lugs envelop the strap, and the watch follows the wrist in one continuous line. The Lug width measures 14mm, making it easy to change the strap.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
We accept several payment methods:
- Bank card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- Bank transfer (AED, EUR, USD)
- Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
- PayPal
Other currencies accepted upon request. Exchange fees of approximately 3% may apply.
A 3% discount is granted for any payment by bank transfer from €1,000.
Does the strap not suit you? Add the strap of your choice to your order: we will fit it to your watch before shipment, at no fitting charge.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.
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