Universal Genève Polerouter Sub History & Design

Bits of history

Universal Genève was (I’m using the “was” because I was not able to locate any reference to U.N. after 2009, including their web site) a very interesting company.
The company was founded in 1894 in Locle by Numa-Emile Descombes and Ulysse Georges Perret, initially as “Universal Watch” and then later in 1937 as “Universal Genève”.

Innovation was one of the most attractive points of Universal.

In 1925 Universal created the model "Auto-Rem", a self-winding system with an oscillating weight mechanism with spring-buffers, similar to the system of John Harwood.

The much famous "Tri-Compax" model was introduced around 1944, using chronograph movements made by Martel, which had a very close association with Universal.

In 1954 Universal introduced the famous Polarouter, later renamed Polerouter that was used by the SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) on their notable polar route.

The first polar route took off in 1954 (November 15th) flying from Copenhagen to Los Angeles. It was a four-piston engine Douglas DC-6B. For the ones that never flew a four piston engine aircraft, I can barely imagine how much noise and vibration those daring souls took during this 24 hours and 25 minutes flight (airborne time).
They did a stop over in Winnipeg, CA. for refueling.

And I dare to complain about a 12 hours flight to Europe, comfortable sleeping on my seat. Different times, different comfort levels.

In 1955 introduced the automatic caliber 215, a.k.a. Microtor and, at that time was the thinnest automatic movement available.

Later, during the early 60’s, Universal launched the watch that is our today's subject.

With the “quartz crisis”, Universal jumped on quartz movement and with the Japanese entrance on this market, Universal faded away.

The compressor case

The Compressor and later Super Compressor watch case was a watch case sealing method patented by Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA), based on the principle where the increase of the water pressure was used to seal the case, more and more.

Those cases where used by several companies including Universal Genève Polerouter Sub (our watch), the Longines Compressor, the Vulcain Diving Alarm, the IWC Aquatimer and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris. Other companies also used those cases like the Fortis Marine Master, the Hamilton 600 and other names like Olma, Droz, Baylor and Technos

The Polerouter Sub






The first Polerouter Sub is released in 1964, equipped with an Erwin Piquerez (E.P.S.A) Super Compressor case.

It measures 42mm w/o crown and is 13mm in height.

The Polerouter Sub comes with an UG 215/2 caliber (microtor, of course), 28 jewels beating at 18000 BPH and sports a power reserve around 58h

Here is our Polerouter Sub.

This one belongs to a dear friend and it comes in "full set".

Let's see this wonder:

1) The box. Simple, I would say very basic:



2) Inside the box:



3) The Sub



4) Part of the papers



5) The certificate (Is in Portuguese)





5a) Leaving the box. Notice the bracelet.



6) The Sub in full glory. To my eyes, it seems over polished.



7) The bracelet details



8) The other side


9) From the top


10) Another bracelet details. Very comfortable to me and I'm not a bracelet person


11) The two hatched crowns that comes with most of the compressor cased watches.


12) A last view to say farewell to our Polerouter Sub.




By 1969 Universal released another Sub (single crown) with an asymmetrical case. I already saw two types of bezel:

Comes with two types of bezel, a black baquelite and another using acrylic.





Notice also that there was a ladies model:



On a summary, the Universal Polerouter Sub is a much desired watch. On my frequent "forays" on watch fairs and flea markets I never saw one.

I was lucky to be able to see those ones "in metal" thanks to this friend.

Cheers, Mr. E. Let's try have another dinner.

Thanks for seeing and a wonderful weekend to all,

Nilo