Universal Genève Gents Watch Box & Papers

Until relatively recently, there has been little talk of a brand that once had its finger on the pulse of fine watchmaking. A brand that created what are now becoming some of the most collected and beloved watches in the world: Universal Genève. This high end Swiss brand was little-known outside of their Polerouter models (designed by a young Gerald Genta), but in recent years intense interest among collectors and enthusiasts has pulled the largely-defunct manufacture into the limelight: a light that has long been overdue. Universal Genève was once responsible for some of the most beautiful dress watches and chronographs from the mid-20th century. From the purpose-driven to the ornate, UG had a touch all its own and breathed incredible beauty and craftsmanship into every piece they produced. While there has been some contemporary stirring from the brand (they released a manually-wound limited edition Compax at Basel World in 2009), it is Universal Genève's sumptuous vintage stylings that has captured the heart and the imagination of the modern collector. The piece we have for you here is a shining example of just how capable the brand once was at producing stunningly high-quality gentlemen's wrist wear. At 35mm the simple but elegant steel case encloses a textured two piece dial with luminescent markers and sword hands. Powering this beauty is the Calibre 138SS bumper-wind automatic movement, the same found in early iterations of the aforementioned Polerouter. The best part? This gorgeous piece comes complete with its original box and papers from the famous Henri Stern Watch Agency at Rockefeller Center in New York City - the very same company that brought Patek Philippe to the United States and sold Universal Geneve alongside.