1967 Universal Genève White Shadow Automatic on Bracelet 886049

Here we have a 1967 Universal Genève White Shadow Reference 866049, a masterclass in mid-century minimalism designed by the legendary Gérald Genta. Its 31mm stainless steel "tonneau" case features a beautiful blend of soft curves and thin, integrated-style lugs, with an incredibly slender 6mm thickness and a compact 34mm lug-to-lug length. This ultra-thin design was a world record holder at the time, offering a sleek and understated presence that slides effortlessly under a shirt cuff, perfectly integrated with a 21mm lug width that anchors its distinctive architecture. On the right side is a small, signed crown that maintains the case’s fluid, aerodynamic lines. A low-profile acrylic crystal protects a crisp, matte white dial that epitomises the "Shadow" collection’s ethos of clarity. It features printed black Roman numeral hour markers and simple, blackened baton hands, providing a stark, high-contrast aesthetic that is both timeless and highly legible. On the reverse, a screw-down case back, bearing the unique serial number, hides one of the most innovative mechanical achievements of the 20th century. Inside, the Micro-Rotor Automatic Universal Genève Calibre 2-66 features the brand's pioneering micro-rotor technology, a movement dating to circa 1967 that allowed UG to achieve such a slim case height without sacrificing the convenience of self-winding. This historic movement beats at 19,800 vibrations per hour and is celebrated for its ingenious engineering and space-saving architecture. It comes with its amazing 21mm flowing integrated-mesh stainless steel bracelet and an adjustable, signed sliding clasp.

This watch is sold “Watch Only” and therefore comes with no original Universal Genève box or papers. It comes with its amazing 21mm flowing integrated-mesh stainless steel bracelet and an adjustable, signed sliding clasp. The watch is from Circa. 1967. It is in fair vintage condition for its age, with signs of wear and patina across the watch, as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

With interest in vintage Universal Genève continuing to grow, I think watches like this still represent fantastic value for money, especially when you consider just how historically important the White Shadow is. You’re getting a Gérald Genta design, an incredibly slim in-house micro-rotor automatic movement and that fantastic integrated mesh bracelet, all in a watch dating back to 1967. There’s a lot of genuine watchmaking history packed into just 6mm! As collectors continue to rediscover just how important Universal Genève was, models like the White Shadow make a very compelling way into the brand. I would not hesitate to add this vintage gem to your collection today!

Reference : 866049
Movement : Micro-Rotor Automatic UG Cal. 2-66
Age : Circa. 1967
Year : 1967
Case Size : 31mm
Case Thickness : 6mm
Lug to Lug : 34mm
Lugs : 21mm (Integrated)
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, Ulysse-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. Over the years, Universal Genève has struggled to gain investment and marketing direction under Stelux Holdings, leading the brand to fall behind its competitors in the luxury watch market. However, the acquisition by The Partners Group is expected to change that. The move is largely driven by Georges Kern, the CEO of Breitling, who has expressed his desire to bring back the historical brand and help it regain its former glory. Kern has successfully turned around the fortunes of Breitling since he took over in 2017, and he is expected to apply the same strategy to Universal Genève. The acquisition comes at a time when there is increased interest in vintage watches, particularly those made by Universal Genève. The brand's vintage timepieces have been fetching record prices at auctions, indicating a renewed interest in the brand. With the cash infusion from The Partners Group, Universal Genève is expected to launch new models and expand its product line to cater to the growing demand for luxury vintage watches. The market is receptive to new offerings from the brand, and the acquisition is seen as a positive step towards reviving Universal Genève's reputation as a leading luxury watch brand.