1960s Universal Polerouter Genève Automatic Date 34mm 104604

Here we have a 1960s Universal Geneve Polerouter Automatic Date 104604 that has a curvaceous 34mm stainless steel case. The Polerouter was first introduced in 1954 and was worn by commercial flight captains for the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS). Their flights took them from Europe to America via Greenland, over the polar region, hence the “Polerouter” name. The Polerouter was designed by Gérald Genta at the age of 24. Straight lugs with a lug-to-lug length of 41mm and a case thickness of just 9.5mm ensure a comfortable fit on your wrist; on the right side is a signed crown. A thin, smooth bezel holds a domed crystal above a striking vertical brushed silver dial; vertically applied Art Deco gold facet hour markers add interest and dimension, catching the light as you rotate your wrist and, at 3 o’clock, a framed date window. Elegant gold hands are complemented by a tapered sweeping second hand. On the reverse, a screw-down polished case back, inside an automatic Universal Geneve Cal. 218-2, 28 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour, fitted with a micro-rotor. The watch comes paired with an 18mm brown leather strap.

This watch is sold “Watch Only” and therefore comes with no original Universal Geneve box or papers. It comes paired with an 18mm brown leather strap. The watch is from Circa. 1960s and is sold in very fair vintage condition for its age, as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

With the understandable boom of interest in the Universal Genève Polerouter, I am on the lookout for slightly different and more affordable references, and in that search, this amazing 'Universal Polerouter Geneve', reference 104604, landed on my desk. This lovely example features a silver dial with amazing art-deco markers, powered by the micro-rotor calibre 218-2, which is just back from a fresh service. I would not hesitate to add this fantastic watch to your collection today!

Reference : 104604
Movement : Automatic Universal Geneve Cal. 218-2
Age : Circa. 1960s
Year : Circa. 1960s
Case Size : 34mm
Case Thickness : 9.5mm
Lug to Lug : 41mm
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12 Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Universal Genève was founded in 1894 in Le Locle, Switzerland, as Universal Watch by two Horology students, Ulysses-Georges Perret and Numa-Emile Descombes.  By 1919, they had moved their operations to Geneva and renamed the brand Universal Genève. They have been owned by Stelux, a Hong Kong investment group, since 1989. In December of 2023, it was announced that The Partners Group, a private equity firm that owns a majority stake in Breitling, is planning to acquire the Swiss luxury watch brand Universal Genève from Stelux Holdings. This Hong Kong-based holding company has been the brand's custodian since 1989.