Universal Genève Polerouter 'Broad Arrow'

Why We Love It From the perspective of the history of modern horology, the Universal Genève Polerouter holds a special corner all to itself. This particular twisted lug beauty is remarkable for any number of reasons, but the one that will grab you straightaway is the incredibly preserved luminous 'Broad Arrow' handset with matching rehaut (inner bezel). Indeed, these are finished in radium, so try to avoid licking it. Behind its caseback, which still bears its factory engraving (a rarity in and of itself), spins a bumper winding automatic Calibre 138SS movement. Such mechanisms are a snapshot in the history of the automatic movements we often take for granted today.  Radioactivity aside, this is one of the most - if not the most - collectable variation of the Polerouter line, and the very first one we've offered for public sale in nearly ten years. Once its gone, its gone! The Story Most of us, even the most diehard collectors, know only one watch designer by name: Gerald Genta. The man behind the AP Royal Oak, the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the IWC Ingenieur, Genta changed the watch industry with his luxury stainless steel sports watches with sharp 70s lines and his characteristic integrated bracelet design.  But before he could pioneer haute horology, he had cut his teeth on a more approachable timepiece; the Universal Genève Polerouter. The Polerouter was Genta's first watch design brought to market, penned by the young Swiss designer in his early 20s. The watch was a sales success and propelled Genta’s career forward (allowing for the greats such as the Royal Oak and the Nautilus.) The first Polerouter was released in 1954 (and originally called the POLARouter) to celebrate and promote Scandinavian Airlines’ Royal Viking polar flights between New York City, Los Angeles and Europe. The flights forged a new route over the North Pole, reducing flight times between the two continents. Flying over the North Pole presented a unique set of challenges for a watch, and the Polerouter was designed to be highly resistant to magnetic fields (in addition to the usual shock and water resistance) so as to maintain accuracy during the trip.