It’s looking up to be an exciting time for Universal Genève. It all started last December when Partners Group, the same company that controls Breitling, acquired the historic manufacture. Founded in 1894 by Numa-Émile Descombes and Ulysse-Georges Perret, Universal Genève has left a lasting imprint on horology, celebrated for timepieces such as the Polerouter, Compax, and the Tri-Compax series. After years of dormancy, the brand is undergoing a strategic revival, a comeback that enthusiasts the world over have hoped for and are finally seeing it happen — right now. 

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of Scandinavian Airlines System’s (SAS) inaugural polar flight from Copenhagen to Los Angeles, Universal Genève has reintroduced a trio of iconic Polerouter models. Released in homage to the legendary 1954 collaboration between Universal Genève and SAS, these tribute pieces mark a milestone ahead of the brand’s revival in 2026. 

Universal Genève presents three tribute Polerouter SAS timepieces to mark 70th Anniversary of the first SAS transpolar flight

The original Polerouter, designed by the 23-year-old Gérald Genta, was both functional and elegant, designed to withstand magnetic fields, shocks, and temperature extremes. Its streamlined two-part dial with a tension ring was innovative, setting a standard in both resilience and minimalist design. To read more about UG’s origins, we have it all covered here.

The original Polerouter’s historical significance is further underscored by its connection to SAS’s pioneering flights over the North Pole. On November 15, 1954, two SAS Douglas DC-6B aircraft departed from Copenhagen and Los Angeles, marking the first twin polar route between Europe and North America. For the Polerouter’s original debut, SAS sought a reliable, stylish timepiece to accompany its pioneering polar flights — flights that shaved 2,600 kilometers off traditional routes, making global travel significantly more efficient. 

The first tribute model, Ref. JU6910 in SAS’s signature blue, features both the original and modern logos of SAS, alongside Universal Genève’s newly updated emblem. This limited-edition piece will be auctioned at Phillips in May 2025, with proceeds supporting Geneva’s CFP Arts, an applied arts school ensuring the transmission of traditional watchmaking skills.

The collection also features two additional models destined for the Universal Genève archives. One is a striking stainless-steel version (Ref. AU6910) that echoes the simplicity of the original Polerouter, while the other is crafted in 18K red gold (Ref. RU6910), offering a luxurious modern interpretation. Both pieces feature the Universal Genève and historical SAS logos, elegantly pairing past and present. 

Universal Genève’s tribute models retain the microtor movement that first appeared in the late 1950s. The Caliber 1-69 gave way to a thin profile, achieved by positioning the rotor between the plate and bridges — a unique configuration that brought both functionality and finesse to the Polerouter line, with the provision of a two-day power reserve.

Tech Specs: Universal Genève Polerouter SAS Tribute 

Reference: Ref. JU6910 (white gold); Ref. RU6910 (red gold); Ref. AU6910 (stainless steel)
Movement: Original Microtor caliber 1-69 from the 1960s; 57-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; central seconds
Case: 35mm × 9.95mm; 18K white or red gold or stainless steel; water-resistant to 50m
Dial: Blue, black or silver
Strap: 18K white gold bracelet; black calfskin leather strap