Manufacturer: Universal Year: 1974 Reference No: 867’101 Case No: 3’184'755 Model Name: White Shadow Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2-67, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Universal pin buckle Dimensions: 34mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
“White Shadow” is the name reserved by Universal for a line of automatic wristwatches launched in mid-1960s. Their most remarkable trait resided in the movement which was powered by an exclusive and groundbreaking automatic calibre. Fitted with a micro-rotor (practically science-fiction, at the time), the movement was the thinnest automatic caliber at the time of its introduction, a record it would hold for more than a decade.
Mainly cased in a typical 1960-style featuring an architecture with lugs integrated in the band profile as can be seen in this example, some movements found their home in more classic case designs. The present watch not only is offered in absolutely stunning, unpolished and unrestored condition, but furthermore features a very attractive cobalt blue dial with an important double personalization: it features both the Iraqi crest at 9 o'clock, and the signature of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein at 3 o'clock. It is a longstanding tradition for ruler of Middle Eastern countries to offer bespoken timepieces as a gesture of recognition and appreciation to subjects, diplomats or governmental officials; beyond Iraq, other countries known to have ordered watches with bespoken dials are, among others, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrein and Kuwait.
Universal Genève was founded in Le Locle, Switzerland in 1894 and was originally known as "Universal Watch." Since its inception, Universal Genève has produced watches with unusually high quality for their price point. Universal was among the first brands to introduce a chronograph wristwatch.
Today, the firm's vintage models are highly sought-after and desired for their oversized cases and interesting dial designs. Key models include a variety of "Compax" models such as the "Nina Rindt" or "Evil Nina," the Uni-Compax, the Space-Compax, the Aero-Compax and the Film-Compax.
Ref. 867’101 A very rare and extremely well-preserved stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date and bespoke blue dial bearing the Iraqi Crest and the signature of Saddam Hussein
1974 34mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed