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Universal Genève Sub Seconds Military
Authorized Luxury Retailer
Renowned for expertise in luxury watch retail, Watches of Switzerland embodies the highest standards of craftsmanship and service. With a history dating back to the 1700s, the company offers a curated selection of premier timepieces and commits to excellence in customer experience grounded in a legacy of trust and industry proficiency.
Authorized Luxury Retailer
Free Expedited Delivery
Free Expedited Delivery on Orders $300 and Up (Estimated 1-3 Days)
Our secure shipping service operates Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For security reasons, an adult signature is required for for orders over $300 USD. Watches of Switzerland does not deliver to P.O. boxes or third-party forwarding services. For more information about delivery, click here. Tracking information will be made available upon shipping.
*Additional shipping fees may apply to domestic orders shipped outside the continental United States.
$15 Flat Fee on Orders Under $300 (Estimated 1 - 2 weeks)
Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about delivery, click here. Tracking information will be made available upon shipping.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your order, please contact the Watches of Switzerland Client Services.
Free Expedited Delivery
Easy Returns
Our commitment to you does not end at delivery. We offer the following return services to make your experience as pleasant as possible.
10-Day Returns For Timepieces:
Timepieces purchased online can be returned or exchanged within 10 days from when they are shipped or collected.
30-Day Returns For All Other Purchases:
All other online purchases can be returned or exchanged within 30 days from when they are shipped or collected.
On presentation of the original receipt, your purchases may be returned or exchanged at any of our store locations. Alternatively, you may elect shipping to our facility with all the original paperwork. All refunds must be credited to the same tender used for the original purchase. To return the online purchases through secure shipping service, please contact our client service team who will provide you the shipping label, free of cost*.
All returns or exchanges must be in new, unworn condition, with no scratches or markings, not sized or adjusted and in their original packaging and with warranty cards / certificated and instruction booklets.
*For order under $300 and all international returns:
Return Shipping: Clients are responsible for shipping items back to our U.S. facility, including all associated costs such as duties, taxes, and carrier fees.
Refunds/exchanges only in the country of purchase.
Please refer to our Return Policy for details on eligible items, return timeframes, and conditions.
Easy Returns
Unknown Universal Genève Sub Seconds Military - (Ref. 40993142 AS12134) Product Details
Overall Condition: Good overall condition with case wear consistent with age. The crystal, dial, and hands are in great condition with just the slightest signs of aging.
Before the Polerouter, before the Compax, and long before Universal Genève became one of the most sought-after names among vintage collectors, the manufacture was producing robust, purpose-built wristwatches for a world defined by uncertainty and change. Watches from the 1940s occupy a particularly fascinating chapter in the brand's history, balancing military practicality with the elegance that would later become a Universal Genève hallmark.
This stainless-steel example embodies that spirit beautifully. The original silver dial has aged gracefully over the decades, developing the honest character and patina collectors prize. Large Arabic numerals dominate the display, providing excellent legibility while lending the watch a distinctly military character. Their warm tone contrasts wonderfully against the silver backdrop, while the original handset and small-seconds register at six o'clock complete a design that feels both utilitarian and remarkably refined.
The unpolished stainless-steel case retains strong lines and houses a manually wound Universal Genève Calibre 330, a reliable 17-jewel movement from an era when durability mattered as much as precision. A screw-down caseback and internal dust cover further underscore the watch's practical intentions, reflecting the robust construction standards that helped establish Universal Genève's reputation during the period.
Perhaps the most intriguing detail lies on the caseback itself. Rather than a formal presentation engraving, the watch bears a deeply scratched inscription that appears to have been added by hand at some point during its life. The crude, almost improvised nature of the engraving gives the watch an undeniable sense of mystery. Was it the mark of a soldier, a serviceman, an owner documenting a memory, or simply a practical identification? Whatever its origin, it serves as a tangible reminder that vintage watches often carry stories beyond those recorded in catalogs and archives.
Today, this Universal Genève stands as a compelling survivor from the wartime era—honest, unpretentious, and full of character. The combination of the beautifully aged Arabic numeral dial, robust Calibre 330 movement, and enigmatic caseback inscription creates the sort of authenticity that simply cannot be manufactured.
General
Condition
Pre-owned
Brand
Unknown
Reference
40993142 AS12134
Year
1940s
Family
Military
Product Code
40993142
Watch Display
Analog
Case
Case Size
34 mm
Case Material
Stainless Steel
Lug Width
17 mm
Dial
Dial Color
Silver
Movement
Type
Manual-winding
Bracelet
Bracelet Material
Leather
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Perfect gift for my son
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We needed to get this
We needed to get this in about 24 hours before he left for school. It arrived right on time.
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Great experience!
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Kevin Phillips was really helpful
Kevin Phillips was really helpful
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