The Polerouter was designed to be a serious challenger to the Rolex Datejust and Omega Seamaster, and it continues to be just that.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
The Polerouter was launched in 1954, and by 1956 it was fitted with the calibre 215 microrotor movement. Only the early watches got the bumper automatic featured in this watch, so this has to have been made circa 1955.
CONDITION
The best name in watch design is Gerald Genta. He is more famous for his work designing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but long before this he was asked to design a watch for SAS pilots (airline, not the special forces). You can read a full history here from Worn&Wound. Like a lot of Genta designs, it was a huge success and just works. The case is a good size for the period, and was made by Huguenin Freres, the noted case makers. The main feature of the case is the twisted bombe lugs, must like the later Omega Speedmaster, but it was also designed to have some water resistance. On this example the case does have some marks, as shown on the photos, and the black gilt crosshair dial has some patina too. The rear of the watch is definitely worse than the front – it appears that the case back has been removed in the past with a chisel! But the silver chapter ring is good, the hands are original and the crown too is the signed original. We have added a new good quality leather strap too. Finding an early, bumper movement Polerouter is not easy and the calibre 138SS movement in this is working well. This is not a perfect example, but you can pay three times as much for a perfect one (and that might not be the bumper movement!).
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 37.6 mm
Width without crown 35.2 mm
Between lugs 19 mm
Lug to lug length 45.6 mm
Case Thickness 10.8 mm
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
