The Universal Genève Polerouter was introduced in 1954 to commemorate Scandinavian Airlines’ polar flights from Europe to North America. Originally called the Polarouter, it was renamed shortly after launch. The watch was designed by Gérald Genta at age 23, making it one of his earliest commercial designs. Early models used bumper automatic calibers (Cal. 138SS), later replaced by the Cal. 215 and 218 micro-rotor movements, which were notable for their thin profile, center seconds, and durability—pioneering technology for mid-century automatics.
The case typically measured 35mm, with distinctive twisted lugs, a domed crystal, and a range of dials, including crosshair, gilt, radial-brushed, and textured variants. The Polerouter line expanded into dozens of references, including date, Super, De Luxe, and Sub models, with stainless steel, gold-capped, and solid gold cases. The micro-rotor movement was developed in-house and rivaled contemporary calibers from larger brands. Today, the Polerouter is highly collectible for its combination of technical innovation, design provenance, and historical context—offering strong value in vintage Swiss horology.
