Universal Geneve pole router

Universal Geneve pole router

Along with Longines and TAG Heuer, Universal Genève symbolizes the rediscovery and growing interest in the vintage world.

And the Polerouter is a very valuable historical model that has enjoyed a favourable resale market but has not yet seen explosive sales.

The Beginning

 

In 1953 , SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) organized the first polar air route, from Copenhagen to Los Angeles.

( That's why the watch was originally called the Polar Router.)

 

The idea was to use the North Pole as a shortcut to shorten flight times, by passing over the magnetic North Pole.

However, once they pass the North Pole, malfunctions begin to occur in the plane's instruments and the pilot's clocks.

SAS then asked watch supplier Universal Genève to create an antimagnetic watch.

 

This important decision led to the birth of the "PoleRouter"

The project was first entrusted to one of the workshop's youngest employees.

His name was Gerald Genta, and he would go on to become one of the most important watch designers of the 20th century.

Patek Philippe's Nautilus, IWC 's Ingenieur SL , and Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak were all actually designed by Genta.

In 1954 , the first Polarouter was introduced, and the name was later changed to Polerouter.

The 34.5 mm case, twisted lugs and the silvery ring inside the dial, divided into sectors (known as a Rehaut), give the watch an elegant look.

 

These three elements formed the basis for the following model series which were produced until the final year of production in 1969 .

 

The first model was equipped with the bumper-type automatic caliber 138SS.

In 1958 , a new caliber, the UG215 , was introduced.

This calibre introduced the micro-rotor, a tiny oscillator integrated into the movement.

Thanks to this micro-rotor, the word " Microrotor " has been added to the dial.

 

Caliber 215 later became calibers 66 and 67

With a thickness of just 2.33mm , this calibre is used in the world's thinnest automatic watches, the Golden Shadow and White Shadow.

This record remained unbroken until the 1970s .

 

For the next 20 years, Universal Genève continued to produce the Paul series.

Here we present some wonderful and rare versions from the various versions proposed by the company.

 

Polerouter Date

Pole Router Super

Polerouter Day Date

 

Pole Router Compact

Polerouter Jet

Polerouter Deluxe

Pole Router Sub

Polerouter Sub 2 Crown