"Created by the worthy heirs of the Swiss masters...for the lucky few who will have the pleasure of wearing it."

Today's offering showcases this rare and very interesting vintage Universal Geneve in near new-old-stock condition. commissioned by the International Museum of Horology. It is a mens midsized, well suited to someone who doesn't have large wrists.

It was factory skeletonized by UG in a joint venture between the International Museum of Horology and The Franklin Mint and made in a limited edition. One resides in the permanent collection of the museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in the heartland of watchmaking.

At the time of their sale, the price in the Belgium-Luxemborg-Netherlands region was 7900 Dutch Guilder, payable in 10 equal monthly installments. According to the Omega Forums user SonOfAWatch, who found the original brochure and did an excellent write-up, using historical conversion rates, the price would have been somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 to 4,000 USD in the late 1980s. Inflation-adjusted to today's dollar that would likely put it somewhere in the 9K - 12K range.

The Franklin Mint, which was held in higher esteem in the 1980's, handled the sales and marketing of the watches. They stated it would be made in no more than 3000 pieces, although its price point and how hard these watches are to find would suggest their run was likely smaller, and perhaps much smaller, than that.

Because of the watch's distinctive skeletonized construction and unusual collaborative history, rather than use our own words we thought that we'd print in nearly its entirety below the lovely brochure for the watch, which we just had translated from Dutch to English.

Its original brochure reads:

"This Skeleton watch continues a widely appreciated 18th century tradition. Transparent as they are, skeleton watches allow their entire mechanism to be admired. They are, as it were, showcases for the craftsmanship of the watchmakers. At the end of the 18th century, Marie-Antoinette had such a watch made by the famous French master Abraham-Louis Breguet.

It became such an intricate piece of art that he worked on it for no less than 40 years and when it could finally be delivered in 1823, Marie-Antoinette was long dead. Today, only a small number of watchmakers still have the necessary knowledge and craftsmanship for this precision work. That is why Le Musee International d'Horlogerie decided to include this unique skeleton watch in its permanent collection.

For more than eighty years, the Museum has been purchasing timepieces of particular historical importance or technically exceptional quality. Their collection consists of more than 3,000 pieces from around the world and from every period of modern history. In addition, the Museum contains an extensive library and ongoing scientific research.

The Skeleton watch is so unique that it is already part of the renowned collection of Le Musee International d'Horlogerie.

Inspired by the highly coveted skeleton watches of the 18th century, this beautiful men's watch is a fine example of a slowly disappearing art form. At that time, the timepiece was still a real piece of jewelry, which showcased the skill of its maker. In this age-old tradition, The Skeleton Watch is now handcrafted by one of the few workshops that can handle such a difficult task.

This is the Skeleton watch, so named because the mechanism is fully visible through its crystal top and bottom. Fascinating for those who appreciate craftsmanship and styling of unparalleled quality.

The master watchmakers at Universal Geneve in Switzerland carefully emboss the frame by hand and also assemble the mechanism by hand. With their tiny drills and saws, they create an intricate skeleton of curves and arcs. They decorate it with motifs, which are engraved by hand... place the frame and the Swiss mechanism with its 17 precious stones in the 18-karat gold watch case... crown the winding mechanism with a breathtaking onyx cabochon... and finish the watch with a luxurious black lizard leather strap.

The result is a piece of art that even the most demanding man will be happy to wear. A refined jewel that forms an enchanting combination with both a classic suit and modern clothing. Anyone who wears The Skeleton Watch will certainly not go unnoticed.

But only a lucky few will ever own this tasteful watch. Le Musee International d'Horlogerie, which honorably commissioned Franklin Mint to realize this creation, introduced a limit of 3,000 watches. One of these watches will be included in the permanent collection of the museum. The others will be handcrafted for anyone who subscribes to this dazzling piece of jewelry with Franklin Mint, which is exclusively responsible for the subscriptions in the Benelux on behalf of Le Musee International.

According to the age-old tradition, The Skeleton Watch is equipped with a crystal top and bottom. Thus, the hand-hammered and engraved frame is fully visible. All parts of the frame are carefully assembled to support the sensational mechanism.

The price of this luxurious men's watch, which is carved and engraved by hand, is NLG 7,900, payable in a number of monthly installments. With your watch, you will receive a stylish velvet-lined jewelry box and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the curator of Le Musee International...

Handcrafted by those noble Swiss watchmakers who uphold the honor of this exacting 18th-century art. Every Skeleton watch is a triumph of genius craftsmanship.

The spectacular Universal Geneve mechanism, with its 17 gems, is carefully assembled and placed in the 18-karat gold case. It is then tested separately, so that extreme precision is guaranteed."

The watch:

It is all original down to even the original buckle and presents in mint condition.

Its case presents as mint. As does its dial, striking skeletonized movement, and crystals.

A Master Watchmaker has performed any needed servicing. It is running extremely strong and true, keeping time nearly on par with a new Universal Geneve in our testing position.

For the finishing touch, it has been equipped with a new leather strap and the watch's original buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

Note: If you'd like to read the wonderful post on the Omega Forums about it, please visit this link.

A rare and original nearly forty year old skeletonized UG that looks like new!

Manufacturer: Universal Geneve for the International Museum of Horology and The Franklin Mint
Country of origin: Switzerland
Year built: 1986
Functions: Hours, Minutes
Designed for: Men
Case material: 18K gold
Dimensions: 30mm wide (excluding crown - 32mm including), 36mm long lug tip-to-tip
Case condition: Mint
Dial: Gloss black outer chapter with gold painted Roman numerals and baton indices, exhibition of the movement, signed Universal Geneve and Swiss, mint condition
Hands: Original, gold "Breguet" moons - note that the tip of the minute has was intentionally left unpained by the factory to be visible against the black outer chapter
Movement type:  UG caliber 2-42, gilt finished, skeletonized and decorated, shock protected, 17 jewels
Jewels: 17 rubies
Beat frequency: 21,600 BPH
Band: Leather (aftermarket), brand new and unworn with watch's original buckle We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
Crystal: Glass, excellent condition
Serviced: Any needed servicing has been performed by a Master Watchmaker.
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running extremely strong and true, keeping time nearly on par with a new Universal Geneve in our testing position.
Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center and has also done authorized work for the Cartier Service Center
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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