Universal
Numa Emile Descombes and Ulysse Georges Perret founded Universal Genève in 1894 in Locle, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Between the 1930s and 1960s, the company, operating under the name Universal Watch Co. Ltd., saw significant growth under the leadership of Raoul Perret, the founder’s son. The watches, signed “Universal Genève,” became renowned for their elegance and technical sophistication. This era gave rise to iconic models such as the Compax, Aero-Compax, and Tri-Compax (1930-40), the Polerouter (1954), and the Microtor UG 66 (1966). In the 2005 edition of Baselworld, Universal Genève introduced two new collections, Okeanos for men and Anthea for women, which cleverly reinterpreted the brand’s design while honoring its heritage. The 2006 models continued this tradition, and Universal Genève marked its resurgence with the introduction of its own manufactured movement, the MICROTOR UG 100.
1894
The talented Numa watchmakers Emile Descombes and Ulysse Georges Perret created a company specializing in the manufacture of complicated watches. Sales are growing quickly and each creation is received with enthusiasm.
1897
When Descombes died, Perret joined forces with Louis Edouard Berthoud to manufacture pocket watches. In 1898, they presented a chronograph with a 30-minute counter — the Universal Watch Extra — then created their first wrist chronograph in 1917.
1934
The company is renamed Universal Watch, moves to Geneva and experiences impressive international growth. A succession of elegant and complex models – Compax, Aero-Compax and Tri-Compax (1930-40), Polerouter (1954) and Microtor UG66 (1966) – forever mark their era.
1960
Faithful to its taste for innovation, in 1975 Universal Genève launched the thinnest quartz caliber in the world. During the 1980s and 90s, the brand enjoyed an impressive international reputation and began to be represented in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Italy.
2005
While the 2005 and 2006 models reinterpret the design of the house in harmony with the Universal Genève spirit, the arrival of the Microtor UG100 and the mass production of the UG101 caliber launched in 2007 strongly confirm the renewal of the brand.
2008
On the occasion of Baseworld 2008 and 80 years after the launch of its first reversible watch — the Cabriolet — Universal Genève presents the Microtor Cabriolet, the first in the shape of a watch keeper (since the revival of the brand) distinguished by a spirit bold and contemporary.
2024
Partners Group, has announced its acquisition of Universal Genève
2026
The brand will be officially relaunched.
