1894
January 18th, creation in Le Locle of the Decombes & Perret watch company headed by Numa Emile Descombes (1863-1897) and Ulysse Georges Perret (1868-1933).
1925
Two international patents (N° 91051 and 91463) are registered for the Auto-Rem, the first self-winding wristwatch by Univesral (a mechanism equipped with buffers).
1927-1929
Presentation of the Cabriolet model and of watches endowed with an 8-day power reserve.
1934
Creation of the double push-button Compur chronograph wristwatch (a trademark registered under patent N°83340); the first movement used is equipped with two column wheels.
1935
Launch of the Compax chronograph wristwatch with 12 hour and 30 minute counters.
1936
Presentation of the Uni Compax chronograph wristwatch with 45 minute counter.
1937
Universal Watch Co. Ltd is renamed Universal Geneva. Creation of the smallest ladies’ chronograph wristwatch of the era, equipped with a 19 1/2” movement.
1940
Launch of the Aero-Compax (patent N° 235608). This is a Compax chronograph equipped with a fourth sub dial featuring hour and minute hands at 12 o4clock and enabling the user to memorize the start of an operation by means of an additional crown at 9 o’clock.
1943
Universal Geneva presents the calendar watch, with or without moon-phase display, showing the small seconds at 9 o4clock, the day at 12 o’clock and the months and moon phases at 6 o’clock.
1944
Manufacture of Watches Universal, Perret & Berthould SA Geneva. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the company presents its latest launch: the Tri-Compax. This hour counter chronograph with triple-date calendar and moon-phase display is to become one of watchmakings’s greatest.
1945
Introduction, within the Compax range, of the Medico-Compax, a chronograph featuring an hour counter bearing a pulsometric scale; and of the Dato-Compax, a chronograph with our counter fitted with a 4th sub dial at 12 o4clock indicating the date from 1 to 31.
1954-1955
Launch of the Polerouter or Polarouter. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System) makes the inaugural flight along the first air route between Europe and the United Stats to accross the North pole. The crew is equipped with a high-precision self winding watch (Cal. 138) capable of withstanding the powerful magnetic fields around the Pole.
1955
Creation of the Microtor (patent N°329805), a new type of self-winding movement with oscillating weight integrated within the movement (Caliber 215).
1963
Presentation at the Basel Fair of the Universal Geneva Rail router and Pole router Electric models.
1966
Launch of the Golden Shadow, the world’s thinnest self-winding watch, driven by Caliber 66 and Caliber 67 with date display (2.5 mm thick).
1968
Introduction of the Tuning Uni sonic, a watch with a tuning-fork type frequency regulator.
1975
At the Basel Fair the brand presents the Caliber 74, the world4s thinnest analog-display quartz driven movement (just 3.45mm).
1994
Ro celebrates its centenary year, Universal Geneva launches a world first (UG Caliber 42-83/4”): the Janus watch, inspired by the Cabriolet model. Its reversible dial features a single movement allowing one to read off the time on two dials, including one with jumping hours.
2005
Universal Geneva launches two new collection: Okeanos (for men) and Anthea (for ladies).
2006
Presentation at Basel world of four new models: the Microtor UG 100, the Okeanos Compax, the Okeanos Aero-Compax and the Okeanos Moon Chronograph.
2007
Presentation at the Basel world of three new steel men4s watches: the Microtor UG 101 (self winding proprietary movement), now produced in series; the Uni-Timer, with two counter chronograph Caliber UG 71.5; and the Timer Chronograph, with three-counter Caliber UG 71.6, the two latter being equipped with and open worked oscillating weight. for ladies, the Anthea steel watch is available in two new jewelry versions: one set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds and the other with 132 brilliant cu diamonds.
2008
Universal Geneva presents the Microtor Cabriolet, a new timepiece inspired by the Cabriolet, the first reversible watch launched by the brand in 1928. A daringly shaped model in a decidedly masculine spirit and a marvel of mechanical ingenuity, the Microtor Cabriolet is driven by the signature Microtor UG 101 movement and is distinguished by its impressively understand design. Meanwhile, another new release sees the Microtor UG 101 welcoming a new dial and an exclusive steel bracelet.
… – Today
Universal Geneva continues to offer chronographs and keep a quality after-sales service.
We have Universal Geneva watches under production at the moment. Our watches are available for order on City Chain Hong-Kong.
UG watches will also be available very shortly in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.