The watch featured in today's offering in no exception. Many reading this probably did not realize this watch existed.
In the late 1990’s Universal Geneve partnered with the Ayrton Senna Institute (IAS), founded by Ayrton Senna’s family and led by Viviane Senna, to create this special chronograph to support the IAS.
Named the "Senna 41" it was not only 41mm in diameter, it represented Mr. Senna's astounding 41 Formula One wins.
If you're not familiar with Mr. Senna's achievements, the Brazilian racing driver was one of the best Formula One drivers of all time. He won the World Drivers' Championship in 1988, 1990, and 1991, and his 65 pole positions was the record until 2006, despite his untimely death in an accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
A devout Catholic and committed believer in God, Senna sought to help the poor in Brazil. After his death, he was discovered to have secretly donated an estimated $400 million of his personal fortune to help poor children, ands shortly before his death, he created the framework for an organization dedicated to Brazilian children, which later became the IAS.
The Senna 41 is a watch with robust capabilities. Its Valjoux 7750 movement, the base movement for watches like certain Omega Speedmasters and many Tag, Breitling, and Tudor chronographs, features execution enhancements that bring it to the level of Official Chronometer Certification by the COSC.
Its sleek and rugged waterproof case features screwed down pushers and crowns, like a Rolex Daytona, originally giving it an impressive 200m depth rating and a tachometer bezel. Its dial design is very much suggestive of its turn of the millennium age.
We are proud to offer it in beautiful condition with all of its original parts. Our photos couldn't begin to do it justice.
Its case presents as just short of mint with a few small marks in the bottom carbon near six o'clock. And its untouched dial is better than near mint with only light fading.
One of our Master Watchmakers who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, adjusting the oscillating weight, installing a new mainspring and back waterproofing gasket, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing, testing and regulation (a $795 value).
For the finishing touch we have meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
This model watch in 18K gold was owned by former President Donald Trump - see the photo in the listing.
Included with the purchase is a full one-year international warranty and a Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.
Universal Geneve:
Since 1894, the fine Swiss firm Universal Geneve has produced very fine and collectible timekeeping instruments. The company that popularized the idea of the modern chronograph wristwatch, Universal Geneve has produced a number of exceptional timers, including the renowned Tri-Compax. The superior quality of their vintage offerings have earned them a place alongside those of Jaeger-LeCoultre and other of the world's fine watchmakers.
- Manufacturer: Universal Geneve
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Year built: c. late 1990's
- Serial no.: 4,194,370
- Model: Senna 41, ref. 998.310
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Two-Register Chronograph, Subsidiary Seconds, Quick-Setting Day, Quick-Setting Date
- Case material: Stainless steel and what UG calls "carbon"
- Case condition: Just short of mint condition with a few small marks in the carbon below six o'clock
- Dimensions: 41mm wide (excluding crown)
- Dial: Silver, luminous steel Arabic indexes, sunken auxiliary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, apertures for the quick-setting day and date, grid pattern suggestive of a globe, signed Senna and Universal Geneve Chronometer Officially Certified, original, better than near mint with light aging and toning
- Hands: Original luminous "epees" with original red tipped lozenge chronograph hands
- Movement type: UG caliber 98, automatic, Officially Certified Chronometer, automatic, based on Valjoux 7750, rhodium plated, "fausses cotes" decoration, 25 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, micrometer regulator
- Movement markings: Universal Geneve, Swiss, 98
- Band: Original, stainless steel and what UG called "carbon", signed with Senna S, fits a wrist up to just under 8 inches, adjustable, the steel presents as mint condition and the carbon as just short of mint
- Crystal type: Sapphire, mint condition
- Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, adjusting the oscillating weight, installing a new mainspring and back waterproofing gasket, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing, testing and regulation (a $795 value).
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. 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 experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
