Universal Genève Unisonic Sub Ref. 852103/01

£2,100.00
Sold

  • Year: 1968.

  • Movement: Accutron tuning fork movement 218 (called calibre 1-52 by Universal Genève)

  • Case Size: 43mm.

  • Dial: Matte black dial with luminous applied indexes, date at 3 o’clock.

  • Strap: Highly sought after Universal Genève stainless-steel bracelet with folding links and clasp made by Gay Frères

  • This watch is sold as watch only, which is typical for vintage timepieces. We place greater value on condition, originality, and overall integrity than on whether a box or papers happen to be present. Many vintage watches have lost their packaging over time, and we don’t believe in inflating prices with non-original extras.

    If a watch does include genuine box and papers, this will always be clearly noted in the description. All purchases come with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging and full purchase documentation.

  • Every watch we sell is fully inspected and professionally serviced to meet our exacting standards. We stand by the quality of our stock, which is why every purchase comes with a 12-month warranty as standard. This particular watch was serviced by a tuning fork expert called @accutron.nl

  • Year: 1968.

  • Movement: Accutron tuning fork movement 218 (called calibre 1-52 by Universal Genève)

  • Case Size: 43mm.

  • Dial: Matte black dial with luminous applied indexes, date at 3 o’clock.

  • Strap: Highly sought after Universal Genève stainless-steel bracelet with folding links and clasp made by Gay Frères

  • This watch is sold as watch only, which is typical for vintage timepieces. We place greater value on condition, originality, and overall integrity than on whether a box or papers happen to be present. Many vintage watches have lost their packaging over time, and we don’t believe in inflating prices with non-original extras.

    If a watch does include genuine box and papers, this will always be clearly noted in the description. All purchases come with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging and full purchase documentation.

  • Every watch we sell is fully inspected and professionally serviced to meet our exacting standards. We stand by the quality of our stock, which is why every purchase comes with a 12-month warranty as standard. This particular watch was serviced by a tuning fork expert called @accutron.nl

A rare and radical dive watch from one of the most innovative brands of the 20th century. This Universal Genève Unisonic Sub Ref. 852103/01, produced in 1968, showcases the brand’s embrace of emerging technology during the height of the space-age watch era. Powered by the famed Accutron tuning fork movement, this watch wasn’t just futuristic in function — it was built for serious diving and remains one of the coolest pieces UG ever made.

Inside the substantial 43mm case beats the Bulova Accutron calibre 218, relabelled by Universal Genève as calibre 1-52. This tuning fork movement, vibrating at 360Hz, offered exceptional precision far ahead of standard mechanical watches of the time. Its smooth sweep seconds hand and signature hum are both visual and auditory throwbacks to a pivotal time in watchmaking history.

The matte black dial features applied luminous indexes and a bright orange seconds hand designed for instant legibility underwater. The rotating bezel is crisp and sharp, with 120 firm clicks that still operate beautifully today. Most unusually, Universal Genève even created a unique logo specifically for this line — proof of the pride they took in the Unisonic Sub’s cutting-edge status.

Fitted to a correct Universal Genève bracelet produced by Gay Frères, this model ticks every box for collectors — performance, provenance, and patina.

Why This Watch Matters

In the late 1960s, Universal Genève was determined to stay at the forefront of watchmaking. By licensing Bulova’s revolutionary Accutron technology, they created a watch that not only broke accuracy barriers, but also redefined tool watch design. The Unisonic Sub was their answer to a high-performance, highly legible diver, and to this day, it remains one of the rarest and most collectible UG dive watches ever made.

This example is in very good vintage condition, with light signs of age and a beautiful untouched dial. Full tritium lume strips remain intact on the markers, and the crystal shows only a light film internally — nothing distracting, and a sign of its originality.

Key Features

  • Year: 1968

  • Reference: 852103/01

  • Movement: Accutron tuning fork calibre 218 (Universal Genève calibre 1-52)

  • Case: 43mm stainless steel with rotating bezel

  • Dial: Matte black with luminous indexes and orange sweep hand

  • Bezel: Rotating dive bezel with 120 clicks

  • Bracelet: Universal Genève signed Jubilee-style bracelet by Gay Frères

  • Papers/Box: Watch only

  • Warranty: 12-month Watts On Watches warranty

Condition & Guarantee

This Unisonic Sub is a standout vintage diver with genuine history and originality. There are general signs of wear throughout the case and bracelet — light surface scratches consistent with age — but it retains strong definition and character. The bezel is firm and responsive, the bracelet remains solid, and the movement has been fully inspected and tested by our team.

As always, we service every watch prior to offering, and we back this with our Watts On Watches 12-month warranty for your total peace of mind. Every purchase comes with bespoke WOW packaging and full documentation.