“White Shadow” is the name reserved by Universal for a line of automatic wristwatches launched in mid-1960s. Their most remarkable trait resided in the movement which was powered by an exclusive and groundbreaking automatic calibre. Fitted with a micro-rotor (practically science-fiction, at the time), the movement was the thinnest automatic caliber at the time of its introduction, a record it would hold for more than a decade.

Mainly cased in a typical 1960-style featuring an architecture with lugs integrated in the band profile as can be seen in this example, some movements found their home in more classic case designs. The present watch not only is offered in absolutely stunning, unpolished and unrestored condition, but furthermore features a very attractive cobalt blue dial with an important double personalization: it features both the Iraqi crest at 9 o'clock, and the signature of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein at 3 o'clock. It is a longstanding tradition for ruler of Middle Eastern countries to offer bespoken timepieces as a gesture of recognition and appreciation to subjects, diplomats or governmental officials; beyond Iraq, other countries known to have ordered watches with bespoken dials are, among others, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrein and Kuwait.