For sale is a culturally significant and aesthetically striking Universal Genève Altesse, produced circa 1970–1971. This timepiece is a fantastic and rare find, distinguishing itself from the standard dress watches of the era with a highly collectible "Seal Script" (Tensho) dial. While often casually referred to by collectors as a "Kanji dial," the characters are actually stylized Ancient Chinese Seal Script, a calligraphy style dating back to the Qin Dynasty, giving the watch a scholarly, artistic aesthetic that looks more like ink on paper than a traditional timekeeper.
The watch measures a classic 31mm, a standard size for men’s dress watches of the period, though its "all-dial" face and slim bezel allow it to wear slightly larger on the wrist. The caseback bears the reference 842101; a code that confirms its authentic specifications: "8" denotes the stainless steel construction, "42" identifies the legendary ultra-thin Caliber 1-42 movement inside, and "101" signifies the classic round Altesse case design.
With a serial number of 2,911,618, this piece sits squarely in the transition into the early 1970s. The stark contrast of the black characters against the crisp white dial, paired with minimalist black hands, creates a look of sophisticated restraint. This Altesse ("Highness") lives up to its name, offering a premium experience that serves as both a time-teller and a conversation piece.
Key Features:
Brand: Universal Genève
Model: Altesse
Reference No.: 842101
Serial No.: 2911618
Era: Circa 1970–1971
Size: 31mm (Classic vintage dress size / Unisex)
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Dial: Rare White dial with Black "Seal Script" (Tensho/Kanji) markers
Hands: Blackened steel pencil/baton style
Movement: In-House Manual Wind Caliber 1-42 (Ultra-Thin)
Why Collectors Love It: The Universal Genève Altesse with a Seal Script dial is a "cult classic" among serious collectors. It hits the "trifecta" of vintage desirability: Brand Prestige, Rarity, and Condition. Universal Genève is currently enjoying a massive resurgence in the market, often referred to as the "watch collector’s watch brand." This specific variation, likely originally intended for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), is significantly harder to find than standard Roman numeral versions. It offers the visual impact of a museum artifact and the mechanical pedigree of a top-tier Swiss Maison, all while remaining an understated "if you know, you know" piece on the wrist.
Return Policy All watch purchases from Arrows Vintage Watches include a 48-hour return window. If you’re not fully satisfied, you may return the watch at your expense using the same insured shipping method it was sent with, and in the same condition it was received. Once the watch is returned and inspected, refunds will be issued within 7 days via the original payment method.
All returns and cancellations will be charged a restocking fee around 3% of the total item price. This is the cost of using a payment processor on the site.
For sale is a culturally significant and aesthetically striking Universal Genève Altesse, produced circa 1970–1971. This timepiece is a fantastic and rare find, distinguishing itself from the standard dress watches of the era with a highly collectible "Seal Script" (Tensho) dial. While often casually referred to by collectors as a "Kanji dial," the characters are actually stylized Ancient Chinese Seal Script, a calligraphy style dating back to the Qin Dynasty, giving the watch a scholarly, artistic aesthetic that looks more like ink on paper than a traditional timekeeper.
The watch measures a classic 31mm, a standard size for men’s dress watches of the period, though its "all-dial" face and slim bezel allow it to wear slightly larger on the wrist. The caseback bears the reference 842101; a code that confirms its authentic specifications: "8" denotes the stainless steel construction, "42" identifies the legendary ultra-thin Caliber 1-42 movement inside, and "101" signifies the classic round Altesse case design.
With a serial number of 2,911,618, this piece sits squarely in the transition into the early 1970s. The stark contrast of the black characters against the crisp white dial, paired with minimalist black hands, creates a look of sophisticated restraint. This Altesse ("Highness") lives up to its name, offering a premium experience that serves as both a time-teller and a conversation piece.
Key Features:
Brand: Universal Genève
Model: Altesse
Reference No.: 842101
Serial No.: 2911618
Era: Circa 1970–1971
Size: 31mm (Classic vintage dress size / Unisex)
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Dial: Rare White dial with Black "Seal Script" (Tensho/Kanji) markers
Hands: Blackened steel pencil/baton style
Movement: In-House Manual Wind Caliber 1-42 (Ultra-Thin)
Why Collectors Love It: The Universal Genève Altesse with a Seal Script dial is a "cult classic" among serious collectors. It hits the "trifecta" of vintage desirability: Brand Prestige, Rarity, and Condition. Universal Genève is currently enjoying a massive resurgence in the market, often referred to as the "watch collector’s watch brand." This specific variation, likely originally intended for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), is significantly harder to find than standard Roman numeral versions. It offers the visual impact of a museum artifact and the mechanical pedigree of a top-tier Swiss Maison, all while remaining an understated "if you know, you know" piece on the wrist.
Return Policy All watch purchases from Arrows Vintage Watches include a 48-hour return window. If you’re not fully satisfied, you may return the watch at your expense using the same insured shipping method it was sent with, and in the same condition it was received. Once the watch is returned and inspected, refunds will be issued within 7 days via the original payment method.
All returns and cancellations will be charged a restocking fee around 3% of the total item price. This is the cost of using a payment processor on the site.
