Discover the illustrious history of Universal Genève
BIRTH OF THE COMPANY
Numa-Émile Descombes and Ulysse-Georges Perret, two watchmakers from Le Locle, Switzerland, founded their company on January 18 and registered the trademark "Universal Watch," a name befitting their ambitions.
Arrival of Louis Berthoud
After the death of Numa-Émile Descombes, Ulysse-Georges Perret promoted Louis Berthoud, a young watchmaker with a keen sense of business, to partner. The following year, the pair presented the Universal Watch Extra, a chronograph with a 30-minute counter.
Arrival in Geneva
With a full range of elegant watches, Ulysse-Georges Perret and Louis Berthoud relocate their headquarters to Geneva. Their flourishing brand and the city's watchmaking prestige were thus linked. Within two years, they had established themselves at a sought-after address on the Rue de Rhône.
Raoul Perret, the successor
Ulysse-Georges' son takes the helm of the company. Drawing on combined studies in business and watchmaking, combined with a love of art and architecture, his vision will guide the company for the next 40 years. Its scope is truly universal.
Appearance of the Cabriolet
Patented in 1933, the Universal Genève Ideo is one of the first reversible watches. Its hinged case can be turned in on itself to protect the glass. Its admirers called it the "Cabriolet", a nickname that stuck.
THE BEGINNINGS OF COMPAX
Now officially known as Universal Genève, the company presents its first wrist chronograph with hour counter. The iconic Compax will embrace numerous variations, fitting a range of professions, from medicine to aviation.
Rapid expansion
At the height of the Second World War, as demand for chronographs grew, Universal Genève began construction of a new factory in Les Ponts-de-Martel. State-of-the-art in every respect, the facility opens its doors five and a half months later.
Arrival of the Tri-Compax
The legendary three-register chronograph with full calendar embodies elegance and simplicity despite the complexity of its functions. It quickly became an international success.
Polerouter take-off
At just 23 years of age, renowned watchmaker Gerald Genta developed the Polerouter, his first major creation. The model offers resistance to magnetic fields and pays tribute to the historic SAS Copenhagen-Los Angeles flight over the North Pole.
A new plant
Universal opens a new factory in Carouge, near Geneva. Designed by modernist architect Paul-André Davoine, the facility features double-height windows on all three floors, vibration-resistant foundations and a central clock for precise time distribution.
Renaissance of the classics
The brand is successfully relaunching its Compax series as sports watches, including the collectors' favorite "Nina Rindt" chronograph and the Tri-Compax "Eric Clapton" complete calendar, nicknamed after their famous owners.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT
Universal Genève presents the world's thinnest automatic movement at the Basel watch fair. The caliber 66 makes its appearance on the White Shadow, Gilt Shadow and Golden Shadow, watches measuring 2.5 mm in height. The caliber 66 will hold the record for the thinnest self-winding movement until 1978.
Launch of Space Compax
While its name evokes the space race of its time, the Space-Compax is actually a watch designed for water sports enthusiasts. It is particularly distinguished by its rubber pushers, which enhance its resistance to depth.
Designer watches
The "Couturier de la Montre" having become Universal Genève's slogan, the brand calls on Italian stylist Roberta Di Camerino to create a collection of women's watches. The original pieces are presented at the prestigious "Montres et Bijoux de Genève" trade show.
Introducing caliber 74
The brand launches a new record-breaking movement. At just 3.45 mm thick, it becomes the world's thinnest quartz movement with analog display. Like the ultra-thin caliber 66 before it, the 74 makes its first appearance in the Golden Shadow.
Acquisition by Stelux
Hong Kong-based watch company Stelux acquires Universal Genève. It launches a range of watches inspired by vintage models, including the Janus, a platinum convertible watch inspired by the Cabriolet to celebrate the company's centenary.
A NEW CHAPTER
Despite a period of stagnation lasting almost four decades, Universal Genève is adored by vintage watch collectors. In 2023, private equity firms Partners Group and CVC Capital Partners acquired the brand. Alfred Gantner, co-founder of Partners Group, told the press: "Universal Genève is renowned for its manufacture movements and mythical models. Watch enthusiasts have long dreamed of its return for good."