UNIVERSAL GENEVE CLOISONNE VIKING SHIP DIAL 18K ROSE GOLD

Have you ever heard of Carlo Poluzzi? If you are a collector of cloisonné dial watches you will recognize his name immediately. Mr. Poluzzi was for decades Geneva’s most sought after artisan for his skill in making these dials. Cloisonne is a big deal because it is made completely by hand, with many steps in the process, none of which leave any margin for error. Cloisonne means that the dial has a web of very fine gold wires, which are filled in with enamel powder, and then baked (or “fired”) in special ovens to melt the powder into a liquid, which is then hardened, and finally polished. Each of the dial’s many sections undergoes the same steps and the enamel artisans are not satisfied until a dial is PERFECT. Carlo Poluzzi worked throughout most of the twentieth century for elite brands like Universal Geneve, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. Closionne dials have always been beautiful, but have only fairly recently caught the attention of collectors and prices are soaring for perfect condition cloisonné dials like this one. Original mint+ 18k rose gold case is 36mm in diameter, with flared lugs, acrylic crystal and snap back. Production of the watch dates to circa 1949. Original untouched Viking ship themed cloisonné dial in perfect condition. Applied rose gold hour markers and gorgeous rose gold dauphine hands along with center seconds hand. Movement is manual winding Universal Geneve Caliber 263 which has 17 jewels. Movement is clean and running. Associated 18k rose gold bracelet, possibly made for Universal Geneve by Gay Freres.