Results for Universal Genève

Universal Genève Returns With Three One-Off SAS Polerouter Watches

In December 2023, Breitling purchased Universal Genève and announced that the brand would return to the marketplace in 2026. Since then, speculation about the models and movements has run rampant. We still don’t have any information to share. Still, Universal Genève has announced three one-off Polerouter watches that celebrate the 70th anniversary of the SAS […] Visit Universal Genève Returns With Three One-Off SAS Polerouter Watches to read the full article.

The three watches Borna wore most in 2023 – Tudor, Seiko, Universal Genève

With two clear stand-outs, Borna found it somewhat challenging to figure out his third most-worn watch of the year.The post The three watches Borna wore most in 2023 – Tudor, Seiko, Universal Genève appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The most expensive G-SHOCK ever sold + Breitling acquires Universal Genève

A fan-favourite brand is set to make its return, and the humble G-Shock reaches new heights.The post The most expensive G-SHOCK ever sold + Breitling acquires Universal Genève appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Experts and Collectors Weigh in on the Return of Universal Genève

Early yesterday morning, news broke in the watch world that was both surprising, and felt inevitable. Universal Genève, the highly regarded and historic Swiss brand that has been effectively dormant for years, will be revived and relaunched by the same ownership team currently steering the ship at Breitling. While the news of Universal finally getting a high profile relaunch isn’t exactly shocking (reviving heritage brands shuttered during the Quartz Crisis has been a favorite pastime in the watch industry over the last decade), we weren’t expecting the Breitling connection. The news (and reaction to it) speaks both to the great affection the community feels for the Universal Genève brand, and to the strength and financial turnaround of Breitling under Georges Kern’s tenure.  Universal Genève has a long and rich history, and has grown significantly in esteem in recent years. They were part of an explosion of interest in vintage watches that began more than ten years ago, but unlike other brands that benefited from increased attention on historic vintage pieces (Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet among them), Universal Genève doesn’t exist as a modern watchmaker in a meaningful way. For that reason, there’s always been a mystique to the brand that can’t really be replicated. We can, and do, compare vintage versions of Submariners, Daytonas, and Royal Oaks to their modern equivalents, and can thus relate to these watches through a modern context or l...

Breitling just bought Universal Genève. Now what?

They've bought the name, so how can Breitling honour the Universal Genève legacy?The post Breitling just bought Universal Genève. Now what? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Breaking News: Breitling Acquires Universal Genève

Breitling has just announced the acquisition of Universal Genève, a once-storied brand famous for its Polerouter and Compax chronographs but that was dormant for years. Breitling will pay CHF60 million for the brand, but in tranches with CHF20 million upfront and the balance over the next five years. The acquisition marks the first step in chief executive Georges Kern’s ambitions of building a watchmaking group, which will presumably go public. According to Mr Kern, Universal will be revived by a new team and run independently of Breitling, though it is almost a certainty Breitling will bestow upon its sister company some of its in-house movement know-how. A sleeping beauty Since 1989, Universal Genève has been owned Stelux, a Hong Kong watchmaking group focused on the affordable end of the market. The company’s primary business is the lucrative distribution of Seiko in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, while its City Chain stores specialised in low-priced watches. Stelux owns a handful of other Swiss brands, including Solvil et Titus and Catena, none of which are premium brands as Universal might possibly be. Although Universal attempted several halfhearted comebacks, particularly in the 1990s, the brand has gone nowhere for some time, making it a relatively easy turnaround given the starting point. Commenting in the takeover announcement, Breitling chief executive Georges Kern says, “Rebuilding a brand with such a rich narrative is not a quick endeavor-it is a meti...

A Few More Thoughts On Breitling Acquiring Universal Genève

Breitling Acquires Universal Genève: What It Means for Watch Fans

In Partnership - Video: Ben Clymer, Georges Kern Discuss Universal Genève’s Revival At Watches & Wonders

Universal Genève means a lot to us at Hodinkee. It's been one of my favorite brands since the early days of our publication—one that's been with me through various moments in my career, through my growth in knowledge and passion for vintage watches, and a brand I've watched with anticipation, hoping it would come back. And today, we are sharing a conversation between myself and Georges Kern, former Breitling CEO and recently appointed CEO of House of Brands, which includes Breitling, Universal Genève, and Gallet, to chat over the recent results of a long-term project to bring Universal Genève back to the forefront. I don't think there's been a more hotly anticipated brand relaunch than that of Universal Genève. The announcement that Breitling (now House of Brands) had secured the rights to the dormant brand sent shockwaves through the industry. We—both in the industry at large and at Hodinkee—had high hopes for the relaunch, but the proof would come with the first releases. Let me tell you, I don't think anyone thought Universal Genève would go this far to knock it out of the park. Just before Watches and Wonders 2026, Universal Genève essentially stole the show before it began by launching a few dozen of its most iconic watches in both heritage-styled and reimagined forms. The Gerald Genta-designed Polerouter? Returned, not just in one size but two, and in multiple materials, dials, bracelets, and more. Oh, and a brand-new microrotor (well, three-quarter rotor...

Universal Geneve is Back – Here’s the New Polerouter

While the watch industry braces for Watches & Wonders next week and anticipates a flurry of new releases to discuss that will take us through the next several months of watch discourse, today is actually the day that many collectors and enthusiasts have been waiting for for years: the debut of new watches from Universal Geneve. When it was announced that the brand would be formally relaunched by Georges Kern back in December of 2023, speculation began immediately as to what we would eventually see. Little tidbits have come out in dribs and drabs over the last two years, but today the watch community finally gets a look at what Universal Geneve will be in the modern era, at least to start.  A few things are very apparent from the outset. This is a big swing on the part of Kern and others steering the ship at Universal. They could have gone small, and introduced a one or two references to reintroduce the brand to the community slowly, but instead they’ve come out o the gate with nearly 40 SKUs, with prices ranging from a relatively modest $14,000 all the way up to $320,000 for an elaborate jewelry focused Cabriolet (and that’s the only elaborate, jewelry focused piece). The other thing that’s clear is that the launch feels focused on the Polerouter, a Gerald Genta design that is likely the most well known watch under the broader Universal Geneve banner. It got the reference book treatment a few years back, and, once upon a time, was one of the most frequently recommen...

The how and why of Universal Genève’s revival, or the ramblings of a UG romantic

When a brand that carries as much prestige in the collecting community as Universal Geneve comes back, there will be some questions.The post The how and why of Universal Genève’s revival, or the ramblings of a UG romantic appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing: Universal Genève Reimagines The Disco Volante And Dioramic With The Signature Timepieces Collection

New, modern interpretations of historic Disco Volante and Dioramic signature models will be available for a limited period, Universal Genève says.

Nina is back in spirit with the revived Universal Genève Compax collection, complete with a micro-rotor movement

As part of the brand's relaunch, we have the resurrection of one of its most iconic models, flanked by a few fun iterations. The post Nina is back in spirit with the revived Universal Genève Compax collection, complete with a micro-rotor movement appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Universal Genève Is Back! Introducing Four Collections, With The Famous Polerouter Leading The Way

Finally, after two years of teasing, Universal Genève is back. Yes, the brand is back in a tangible way with four collections and a soon-to-open flagship store in the heart of Geneva, its city of origin. From the 1940s through the 1960s, Universal Genève stood among the most respected names in high-end Swiss watchmaking. The […] Visit Universal Genève Is Back! Introducing Four Collections, With The Famous Polerouter Leading The Way to read the full article.

The Universal Genève Polerouter relaunches in force, with no less than 11 new models

The Polerouter is finally back and with a bang of 11 references across the newly launched range, with plenty of variety to discover. The post The Universal Genève Polerouter relaunches in force, with no less than 11 new models appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Universal Genève Polerouter Review: The '50s Icon Returns

The Universal Genève Polerouter is probably the most historically significant watch that enthusiasts of a certain age have never heard of. Okay, maybe that's overstating it, but the watch is certainly less, well, universal in its claim to icon status than several other, more well known models that debuted later. And yet, if it weren't for the Polerouter, which came out in the mid-1950s and which afforded an opportunity for a young, precocious watch designer to make his first mark on the industry, we may never have had the opportunity to experience some of those 1970s models that came later. Intrigued? Read on.  [toc-section heading="Universal Genève History (1894 - 1950s)"] Despite the “Genève” that has become attached to the company’s name, the firm originally known as Universal Watch traces its roots to a smaller Swiss city, the village of Le Locle (also home to Ulysse Nardin, Zenith, and Tissot), where it was established in 1894 by watchmakers Numa-Emile Descombes and Ulysse-Georges Perret. Descombes died a few years later, and Louis Berthoud, one of the company’s most talented watchmakers, rose from the ranks to become Perret’s partner in 1897. The pair moved operations to Geneva in 1919, forging the company's modern name and identity. The firm became known for chronographs, and eventually produced both pocket watches and trench watches (pocket watches converted to wristwatches for soldiers in the field) for armies on both sides of the two World Wars.  O...

Will third time be the charm for a revived Universal Genève?

Universal Genève's recently-released Tribute to “The Nina” Compax collection has us musing about the future of this soon-to-be revived brand.The post Will third time be the charm for a revived Universal Genève? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing: Two One-Off Sets Of Three Universal Genève Tribute To Compax Chronographs - “The Nina” Returns

Hold your horses; Universal Genève is still warming up for a full launch in 2026. For now, we have to settle for ultra-exclusive stuff. You could call it “clickbait,” but that would be too crude for two sets of three Universal Genève Tribute to Compax chronographs in white and pink gold with different dials. You […] Visit Introducing: Two One-Off Sets Of Three Universal Genève Tribute To Compax Chronographs - “The Nina” Returns to read the full article.

New releases from Universal Genève, Minase, Vacheron Constantin and more

Vacheron Constantin has followed up its boatload of Les Cabinotiers La Quête piece uniques with additional Chinese Zodiac novelties.The post New releases from Universal Genève, Minase, Vacheron Constantin and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Inside the World of Universal Genève with Collector Matthew Fisher

Collector Matt Fisher invites us into his world of rare Universal Genève watches

The One-Off White Gold Universal Genève SAS Polerouter Heads To Auction

While there are no official announcements on new releases from the reborn Universal Genève, we do have news. To refresh your memory, Breitling purchased the brand in December 2023 from Stelux Holdings. It has been made clear that new models, along with authorized retailers, wouldn’t emerge until 2026. However, three “new” one-off SAS Polerouter references […] Visit The One-Off White Gold Universal Genève SAS Polerouter Heads To Auction to read the full article.

Will Smith marks his award show return with a stunning vintage Universal Genève Polerouter

Will Smith wears a vintage Polerouter, and you could say we got excited about it.The post Will Smith marks his award show return with a stunning vintage Universal Genève Polerouter appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Interview – What to Expect from Universal Genève when it Relaunches in 2026? Georges Kern Gives us all the Answers

About a year ago, Georges Kern, also known as the CEO of Breitling, made a resounding announcement for the watch community; the acquisition of historic brand Universal Genève and its planned return as a watchmaker in 2026. A brand known for its innovative designs and movements, benefitting from a certain aura in the collecting community, […]

Universal Genève Returns with Polerouter SAS Tribute Trio

Having been acquired by Breitling’s private-equity owners last year, Universal Genève is scheduled to officially come back to life in 2026. But ahead of its revival in two years, the brand has unveiled a trio of one-off vintage remakes, the Polerouter SAS Tribute. Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the inaugural Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) flight across the North Pole from Copenhagen to Los Angeles, the three watches are modelled on the Polerouter, a watch created especially for the pilots of SAS. Notably, the Polerouter was designed by the late Gérald Genta when he was just 23 years old. The SAS Tribute is made up of three unique watches, one each in stainless steel, 18k white gold, and 18k red gold, with the white gold example slated to be sold at Phillips in May 2025 with proceeds going to a Geneva arts school. The remaining pair will be retained by Universal Genève as part of its archive and will not be offered for sale. Initial thoughts The Polerouter trio are essentially faithful remakes, right down to the new-old-stock cal. 1-69  micro-rotor movement inside, but with dials in modern colours and finishes. While drawing inspiration from the vintage design, they look modern. The trio isn’t particularly imaginative, though it will appeal to fans of the brand’s vintage watches. Such remakes aren’t enough to revive a Universal Genève, though the brand’s attention to its historical models will be appreciated by enthusiasts. Whether or not Universal...

New releases from TAG Heuer, Universal Genève, Vacheron Constantin and more

Our Sundowner was the biggest piece of watch news last week... Although we might be slightly biased.The post New releases from TAG Heuer, Universal Genève, Vacheron Constantin and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.