Universal Genève Polerouter Date 'Full Set' Gay Freres bracelet

Now, everyone knows the story of this watch but here’s a reminder, just in case: To shortcut the flights from Europe to California (USA) by some thousand kilometers, the airline SAS (Scandinavian Airline System) opened new routes over the North Pole in the 1950s. All crews on these flights had to take part in a special training at the "SAS's Arctic Flight School". The Swiss watch manufacturer Universal Genève provided the crews with automatic precision wrist-watches that are resistant against the strong magnetic field of the polar region. They became the official chronometers of SAS. This design was commended to 23 year old Gerald Genta who also was the same designer of the legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus. Soon this Polerouters, specially the Date versions, became a sought after for collectors all around the world.

For sale is a beautiful example of A LATE 1960S Polerouter Date. With a robust 35mm all stainless steel case in very sharp condition, this watch has a great wrist-presence.

This particular late 1960s (purchased in 1969 according to the signed warranty papers) example has a beautiful top condition silver linen dial with tritium lume plots and yellow-ish tritium lume stripes on the hands and painted logo. The case back has some marks due to normal wear. The gorgeous in-house cal. 1-69 is running good and keeping time, recently serviced by our watchmaker.

If this was not enough, this example comes on the original UG signed by Gay Freres stainless steel bracelet with correct 18mm UT end links and correct 2/68 date on clasp.

To make it even rarer, it comes with the original box, signed warranty papers and hangs tag.