Universal Geneve was established in 1894, and by the 1950’s was known internationally as a manufacturer of accurate and well-designed chronographs and complicated wristwatches.
In 1954, Universal Geneve opened a new production plant to accommodate after-sales service and produce new models. The first model to be produced in the new factory was the Polarouter – produced for the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) trip from Europe to North America by crossing over the North Pole. With the success of those early Polerouters for the SAS, a new caliber (Cal. 215) was developed and used for later models, featuring the brand’s first micro-rotor.
The Caliber 215 was also used in high end automatic chronometers such as the Chronometer 28. Originally these movements were tested at the Geneva Observatory until it closed in 1968 and testing was made by the Official Swiss Government testing Bureau, the ancestor of the COSC.
Interestingly this watch seems to have the first serial number in this reference (type 20363 – 3)!
https://universalgenevepolerouter.com/reference-tables/reference-table-steel-gold-plated/
