With most of the watch market being exciting as a yawn, it is exciting to see something come back that could throw some excitement and randomness across watch designs. Succeed or fail, something will happen, and that is fascinating.
Whatever is rare, it will fetch the value up. In recent years, the high end brands have been releasing central minute chronograph ie: Lange Odysseus chronograph, Moser streamliner chronograph and other brands that use Agenhor chronograph caliber. The movement in these watches are an eye candy and nicely decorated. Central minute chronograph is easy to read and has a cleaner dial as well. The alternative to Agenhor caliber and Lange caliber is the Lemania 5100, Lemania 1340 and Longines 12.68z. I also found that these vintage chronograph are getting hot but less supply in the market. While the price still looks reasonable at chrono24 but 12.68z and 13zn become more expensive now. These vintages are the un-song heroes that filled with chronograph development history and maximum reliability. 12.68z and 13zn are highly sort after as a flyback central minute chronograph caliber (circa 1930 ~ 1940); Lemania 5100 & Lemania 1340 are famous for its toughness, reliability and military grade central minute chronograph caliber. Hidden gem will only appear at the right hand when the master know what they owned.
So… they’re just engaging in good business practices to maximize profit to recoup all the upfront costs to acquire UG? I mean… like it not. Isn’t this all expected?
That’s how the entire watch industry works. What’s so special about the nautilus for example? More all about hype and market price that begets itself. As long as they can sustain and execute then more power to them. They paid for UG brand and need to recoup their investment. 🤝
I left a comment to ben Climer on his last work on UG where it featured a die hard UG collector from Italy. I advised them that if they were going to execute those watches, they had to have great elements on them that commanded the price point they were considering. Example will be using lacquered dials that gave them some sort of richness, may be the micro rotor movement, industrially finished but well done etc. Well, we have to wait and see but it will be a shame if they mess it up.
While I am excited to see the return of Universal Geneve, I am not excited to see another product experience a supply squeeze and sudden price increase. It gets old.
If the new retail models look anything like these one off pieces I’ll eat my hat! I’ll be amazed if they’re not 39mm with thicker cases and a 5 figure price tag. Like you say they’re trying to build the hype so when the new retail models drop in 2026 the prices don’t seem so outrageous.
They don't revive a brand as a philantropic gesture. Problem for collectors (not flippers and watch dealers), the market for vintage UG pieces is already reacting. Just got myself a rare square white shadow few weeks ago for about 600 bucks. Now saw the same advertised by a vintage watch dealer at 3.5k. 🤦♂️
If you living in Hong Kong , Universal Geneva exists, and sold for a very very cheap price , they just sold the brand to Brietling and start to hype it up 😂 15000 francs for a base model is insane
I have “real” watches and a lot of them. I have a friend who buys the MAMACOO we put them side by side and guess what ?! It’s unbelievable!!! I am at the Rolex boutique with her and no one can tell he has a fake
@Jon P: Great content as usual. Question: Why do you think Montblanc never really benefited from the 2007 Minerva acquisition? Seemed like just what they needed to finally shake that ‘pen company’ stigmatization. Granted, Minerva doesn’t have the Genta-Pole Router marketing hype, but still. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
On Richemont's website, Montblanc is listed under Fashion/Accessories instead of watches. While Montblanc does sell watches, it appears they view it and treat it in a different way. Probably better income producing brands they are focusing on in their watch lineup.
I think too much is made of gavel prices of watches at "charity" auctions. They have NOTHING to do with the value of everyday models on the retail market. In my opinion, Breitling has always been overpriced. I expect Universal will be as well! But, I do think Universal has a selection of dressier watches, which are kind of the antithesis of what Breitling does. So, from that standpoint, it's a good fit. Funny 25 years ago, when I was collecting vintage watches. Universal were only slightly more popular than a Croton or a Bulova. You could get a decent Polerouter for a couple hundred bucks!😮 If only I would have known! 🤔
@MrKwan007 I think they've already sort of been revived at least once!? That said, I have the revived Super Antarctica and the revived Vertex M100, and they're both great!
Interesting assessment. And I (do) think many have opted to go with Tudor as a direct result. But I also find it interesting that they’d be willing to partner with Tudor. As we know, Tudor supplies the MT5612 to Breitling for the Superocean Heritage II. Breitling supplies the B01 to Tudor for for the BB Chrono. 😏
We could start calling it “The Hoodinke-Philips Auctions Effect”.
With most of the watch market being exciting as a yawn, it is exciting to see something come back that could throw some excitement and randomness across watch designs. Succeed or fail, something will happen, and that is fascinating.
Breitling CEO stated in an interview last year that UG will be a line above Breitling. Expect big $$$!
Well it should be. In the past UG was much bigger name than Breitling.
Thank you for speaking out about this, John
Whatever is rare, it will fetch the value up. In recent years, the high end brands have been releasing central minute chronograph ie: Lange Odysseus chronograph, Moser streamliner chronograph and other brands that use Agenhor chronograph caliber. The movement in these watches are an eye candy and nicely decorated. Central minute chronograph is easy to read and has a cleaner dial as well.
The alternative to Agenhor caliber and Lange caliber is the Lemania 5100, Lemania 1340 and Longines 12.68z. I also found that these vintage chronograph are getting hot but less supply in the market. While the price still looks reasonable at chrono24 but 12.68z and 13zn become more expensive now. These vintages are the un-song heroes that filled with chronograph development history and maximum reliability. 12.68z and 13zn are highly sort after as a flyback central minute chronograph caliber (circa 1930 ~ 1940); Lemania 5100 & Lemania 1340 are famous for its toughness, reliability and military grade central minute chronograph caliber. Hidden gem will only appear at the right hand when the master know what they owned.
Agree. I love central chronographs too. Have you seen the GP ref 2598 central chronograph?
🤝
@marcn8750 yup, one of the least expensive modular center minute chronograph, another 1 is Damasko DC series.
12.68z is a Time only caliber, maybe you meant 13ZN and 30CH
Thanks for the information - you’re probably correct. I do hope they re-release some of the sportier models.
I hope your new venture is doing well.
Thank you!
Didnt they say that the "entry" for UG will be around 15000 Chf?
So… they’re just engaging in good business practices to maximize profit to recoup all the upfront costs to acquire UG? I mean… like it not. Isn’t this all expected?
That’s how the entire watch industry works. What’s so special about the nautilus for example?
More all about hype and market price that begets itself. As long as they can sustain and execute then more power to them.
They paid for UG brand and need to recoup their investment.
🤝
I just hope they do a proper revival of the company. Not just a random automatic, but a new microrotor movement to go with it.
That’s exactly their stated plan! They’re aiming for 2026 launch…
If they want to sell it for $10,000, then it better have a micro rotor, and it better be exquisite.
@@WaterJake I think they will (on both counts). Just pray there’s no faux patina 😂
I left a comment to ben Climer on his last work on UG where it featured a die hard UG collector from Italy. I advised them that if they were going to execute those watches, they had to have great elements on them that commanded the price point they were considering. Example will be using lacquered dials that gave them some sort of richness, may be the micro rotor movement, industrially finished but well done etc.
Well, we have to wait and see but it will be a shame if they mess it up.
Its like the the new Elypse patek is selling the new one for 60k when the vintage ones are 9.
George Kern isn't gonna 👍 this accurate video. What do they really do? Copy-paste, buzz, overcharge, bank
I firmly expect the Compax to be priced higher than a Daytona, somewhere along the lines of a Breguet Type XX.
Wow, if you're right, that will be one crazy outcome. Cheers.
I think you are right on here.
It's amazing that in the middle of the trans-hype Breitling didn't bring back Transocean.
While I am excited to see the return of Universal Geneve, I am not excited to see another product experience a supply squeeze and sudden price increase. It gets old.
This is called advertising. Every company does it in every field.
You have uncovered marketing.
If the new retail models look anything like these one off pieces I’ll eat my hat! I’ll be amazed if they’re not 39mm with thicker cases and a 5 figure price tag. Like you say they’re trying to build the hype so when the new retail models drop in 2026 the prices don’t seem so outrageous.
They don't revive a brand as a philantropic gesture. Problem for collectors (not flippers and watch dealers), the market for vintage UG pieces is already reacting. Just got myself a rare square white shadow few weeks ago for about 600 bucks. Now saw the same advertised by a vintage watch dealer at 3.5k. 🤦♂️
A lot of fake prestige surrounding this hobby especially last 5 years or so
If you living in Hong Kong , Universal Geneva exists, and sold for a very very cheap price , they just sold the brand to Brietling and start to hype it up 😂 15000 francs for a base model is insane
Thanks
I have never been disappointed since I became a customer of MAMACOO. Their watches are of exceptional quality.
I have “real” watches and a lot of them. I have a friend who buys the MAMACOO we put them side by side and guess what ?! It’s unbelievable!!! I am at the Rolex boutique with her and no one can tell he has a fake
@Jon P: Great content as usual. Question: Why do you think Montblanc never really benefited from the 2007 Minerva acquisition? Seemed like just what they needed to finally shake that ‘pen company’ stigmatization. Granted, Minerva doesn’t have the Genta-Pole Router marketing hype, but still. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
On Richemont's website, Montblanc is listed under Fashion/Accessories instead of watches. While Montblanc does sell watches, it appears they view it and treat it in a different way. Probably better income producing brands they are focusing on in their watch lineup.
Yeah just seems like a total waste …granted I’m sure Minervas are now being used broadly, (across the entire Richemont portfolio).
I think too much is made of gavel prices of watches at "charity" auctions. They have NOTHING to do with the value of everyday models on the retail market.
In my opinion, Breitling has always been overpriced. I expect Universal will be as well! But, I do think Universal has a selection of dressier watches, which are kind of the antithesis of what Breitling does. So, from that standpoint, it's a good fit.
Funny 25 years ago, when I was collecting vintage watches. Universal were only slightly more popular than a Croton or a Bulova.
You could get a decent Polerouter for a couple hundred bucks!😮
If only I would have known! 🤔
Just wait. Someone will acquire or “resurrect” Croton soon enough. Just look at Nivada Grenchen and Vertex😏
@MrKwan007 I think they've already sort of been revived at least once!?
That said, I have the revived Super Antarctica and the revived Vertex M100, and they're both great!
Hilariousnow we know they're gonna launch at £15,000+😂
Why couldn't you fly any watch over the North Pole?
Magnetism
Because of the Hollow Earth! Just Google ‘Admiral William Byrd and Operation Highjump.’ He found out why that’s problematic down at the South Pole 😏
Watches used to all have metal hairsprings
that was incredible. what a beautiful watch and what great work you did on it!AMZWATCH
15k for time only watch in steel with a ETA based movement
Ridiculous
When it comes to fine imitation watches, MAMACOO delivers. I've bought from them several times, and I've never been let down.
UG were dead and NAME Revived..... it ain't the same UG any longer. In my opeenion
I love watching your videos and MAMACOO to keep myself updated on the world of watches
Uwu
Breitling is overpriced to begin with so I expect UG to be the same. There is no real watchmaking being done over there.
Interesting assessment. And I (do) think many have opted to go with Tudor as a direct result. But I also find it interesting that they’d be willing to partner with Tudor. As we know, Tudor supplies the MT5612 to Breitling for the Superocean Heritage II.
Breitling supplies the B01 to Tudor for for the BB Chrono. 😏
Georges kern will ruin another brand just like they did with Breitling.
He completely killed the brand
I'm genuinely impressed with how close MAMACOO were able to replicate every aspect of this very very goofy looking classic watch.
MAMACOO Stunning watches stunning video you are special i love it keep it up