Universal Geneve has long been "the watch enthusiast's watch" as the brand's cult-like, but steadily growing following has remained out of the scope of the mega-mainstream. The brand isn't without a few icons however, boasting unmistakable models such as the Gerald Genta-designed Polerouter, the "Nina Rindt" Compax chronographs, and the ultra-complicated Tri-Compax that Eric Clapton made famous for wearing.

Born in 1894 LeLocle, Switzerland as Universal Watch, the co-founders Ulysee Perret and Numa Descombes originally set out as a watch part manufacturer, but as their business grew so did their offerings. In 1919 they moved their operation to Geneva, officially creating Universal Geneve. By 1925, UG had designed its first automatic movement known as the Auto Rem.

Though Universal Geneve eventually produced a broad range of watches intended for vastly different applications, each model shared one crucial commonality, elegance.

SPECS

CASE & BRACELET

The well-preserved case features charming design elements that elevate the classical design, like the rounded and brushed extension of the case between the lugs as well as the long curved lugs themselves. The case exhibits gentle signs of use with no signs of major previous polishing. The unsigned signed crown is believed to be original to the watch. The screw-down case back is very rare for the era and extremely well preserved, with all of the original factory markings fully intact.

DIAL & HANDS

The original and beautifully aged dial offers an extravagant vintage aesthetic with a military-style dial format. There are some small spots of age throughout, expected for a watch of this age. The radium-lumed numerals all remain intact and have aged to a sandy-beige color, under UV light inspection there is no visible degradation present. The original radium-lumed blue hands and red sweep seconds hand remain in impressive condition, the lume has aged a shade darker than the dial with no degradation present under UV light inspection.

ACCESSORIES 

None. The watch is keeping time, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.