Universal Genève Cioccolatone 'J.W. Benson'

While Universal Genève may be most famed for its Compax chronographs and the aeronautically-inspired Polerouter, its svelte dress watches are equally compelling. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, UG designed simple, time-only watches alongside its more complicated brethren that played with shape, color, and design in interesting and novel ways. This particular dress watch is referred to as a 'Cioccolatone' ('big chocolate') after its distinctive, chocolate candy-shaped case that was used by numerous marques beginning in the 1950s. Measuring 25.5mm in yellow gold with beautifully flowing 'scroll' lugs, an unsigned crown, and an acrylic crystal, it features a handsome silver guilloché dial in a Clous de Paris pattern with applied gold faceted indices, a matching gold 'dauphine' handset, and a double-signature: In addition to the Universal Genève wordmark, it also bears the name of J.W. Benson, a well-respected London clock and watchmaker turned retailer, now defunct.  Powered by a hand-wound U.G. movement and paired to a lovely brown alligator strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a signed gold-tone steel U.G. pin buckle, this watch is the perfect entryway into Universal Genève for the budding collector. Sure to garner knowing nods of approval from the inner enthusiast circle, it's quite simply a killer piece from one of our absolute favorite brands — full stop.