Logos, Hallmarks and Case Makers

The history of UG can be reconstructed through the many subtle details in their watches, and cases are an excellent way to understand more about the brand. In particular there are 3 interesting topics regarding Universal Genève cases: the UG logo in the case, the material hallmark and the producer hallmark.

Logos

The evolution of the Universal Genève logo stamp is rather simple and intuitive. The logo would be stamped mostly on the inner caseback with the exception of a few models that would have it on the outer caseback. There are 4 main evolutions of the logo:

Round U.W. logo (Early 1930s - 1937)
Round U.W. logo
U Shield logo with wheel (1937 - 1953)
U Shield logo with wheel
U Shield simplified logo (1953 - 1970+)
U Shield simplified logo
Modern U logo (1990s - Today)
Modern U logo
Other Logos
1 Uweco
Berthoud

Materials

Universal Geneve watches were made in a variety of materials, here is a list of the possible materials and how the were stamped on the caseback:

Steel

Staybrite
Enversteel
Unversteel?
Stainless Steel

Gold

18k Stamp: Helvetia Head
18k Stamp Helvetia Head
18k 0.750 Yellow Gold
18k 0.750 Rose Gold
14k Stamp: Squirrel
14k Stamp Squirrel
14K 0.583 Yellow Gold
14K 0.583 White Gold

Platinum

PT 0.950

Chrome/Plated

Fond Acier Inoxydable
Metal Chrome | Fond Acier
Stainless Steel Back
Plaquè Or | Garanti 10 ans (RR)

Case Makers

The swiss watchmaking industry was one of savoir-faire, with many small companies focusing on the one aspect they were good at. There were dial makers, hand makers, synthetic ruby makers etc. In particular when it came to cases, each case-maker had their own signature look and patents. For example C.R. Spillman (HH 136) was famous for their waterproof pump pusher chronographs. Therefore, understanding the relationship the brand had with individual case-makers can help shed light on the aesthetic significance of their models. 

It is important to note that the hallmarking on the various cases was almost exclusively reserved for precious metals, and is very rare to see a steel or chrome case stamped with the producer mark. The following list contains all the case makers (known today) that have made cases for Universal Genève.

This first part of the list is composed of all the swiss made casemakers outside of Geneva, distinguished by the Hammer head without handle hallmark with a number inside, referring to the case-maker.

An example of a N°119 stamped hammer head hallmark

An example of a N°119 stamped hammer head hallmark

Case Makers
104 Manufacture Cartier La Chaux-de-Fonds, La Chaux-de-Fonds
109 Oréade, Manufacture de Boîtes SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds
115 Manufacture Favre & Perret SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds
116 Flückiger & Cie, La Chaux-de-Fonds
117 Guillod Gunther SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds
119 Gindraux SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds
122 Oreade, Manufacture de boîtes SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds
128 Jung & Cie, La Chaux-de-Fonds
132 Eric Monnier, La Chaux-de-Fonds
136 C.R. Spillmann SA, Chêne-Bourg
141 Gabus Frères Oracier SA, Le Locle
•166 Henri Jeanneret, Peseux
167 Carnal & Cie. SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds
•174 Boîtes de montres Huguenin SA, Le Locle

The second part features the Geneva case-makers that are stamped with the ‘Geneva Key’ and an identification number. Usually these precious metal watch cases had a minimum thickness of 0.3mm.

An example of a N°1 stamped Geneva key hallmark

An example of a N°1 stamped Geneva key hallmark

1 Ed. Wenger SA, Genève
2 F. Baumgartner SA, Genève
5 Genevor SA, Meyrin
26 Ponti, Gennari & Cie, Genève
29 Weber & Cie. SA, Genève