Universal Geneve Polerouter de Luxe

It was all the way back in 1954 when Universal Geneve decided to create a watch to commemorate a rather special event in aviation: the successful implementation of a flight path between New York and Europe over the North Pole.

UG hired a young designer, only 23 years of age. His name? Gerald Genta. Yes, the same Gerald Genta that would, two decades later, go on to design two of the most iconic watches of all time; the AP Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus.

Genta came up with the Polarouter, which would later be renamed Polerouter. While the original design is very similar to the one we see here, many variations were made up until 1969. There was a Polerouter Sub, a Polerouter Day-Date and a Polerouter Jet, among others.

In 1955, the Polerouter’s original bumper automatic was replaced by a micro-rotor caliber. This lead to a patent argument with Hamilton/Buren which was finally settled in 1958.

This specific Polerouter Deluxe from 1955 was therefore of the first generation to feature the micro rotor movement. It is housed in a stunning 18k yellow gold case. A design classic for those with fine taste!