Universal watches

Nourished by watchmaking creativity and passion, the very rich history of Universal Genève is punctuated by innovative movements and legendary timepieces.

It was in January 1894 two talented watchmakers from Locle (Numa Emile Descombes and Ulysse Georges Perret) founded a company specialised in the manufacturing of complex watches. Five months later, they filed their patents for the invention of a 12-hour and 24-hour watch with a spinning disk. Upon the death of Emile Descombes 4 years later, Perret associated himself with Louis Edouard Berthoud, and together they manufactured pocket watches. A year later, they presented the Universal Watch Extra pocket chronograph. Note that Universal Genève would be the first House to tackle the disappearance of the pocket watch.

Beginning in the 1930s and after being established in Geneva, the company would have the Universal Watch and Co. name, and watches would be signed “Universal Genève.” Universal Genève watches are distinguished by their elegance and technical nature. The “Universal Genève” style was born with such iconic models as the Compax, the tri-Compax, the Aero-compax, the Polerouter, and the Microtor.

In the 1960s, Universal Genève was positioned in the new watchmaking trend as a precursor to quartz movement, and in 1975, it launched the thinnest calibre quartz, which contributed to its international reputation. Indeed, we note the presence of Universal Genève on Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and Italian markets.

Since the 2000s, Universal Genève has opened new perspectives in launching collections such as Okeanos for men and Anthea for women, while respecting the elegance and beauty of a mastered watchmaking complication that formed its reputation.