{"product_id":"universal-geneve-polerouter-electric-ref-219301-1-electro-mechanical","title":"1960s Universal Genève Polerouter Electric | Ref. 219301-1 | Electro-Mechanical","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome watches are rare. Others are the kind you can spend years looking for and still never come across. This Universal Genève Polerouter Electric, Ref. 219301-1, belongs firmly in the latter category. A wonderfully preserved 34mm stainless steel example from the 1960s, and one of the finest survivors of this elusive reference.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntroduced in 1963, the Polerouter Electric was a rather interesting addition to a family that had begun nine years earlier, celebrating SAS Airlines' pioneering flights over the North Pole. Beneath the dial sits Universal Genève's calibre 60, a refined take on the LIP R148, featuring 14 jewels, a stop function, and a 1.5-volt battery offering roughly a year's worth of running time. Back in 1963, one of these would have set you back CHF 150.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd no, this isn't a quartz watch. What you're looking at is a rather fascinating piece of watchmaking history: an electro-mechanical movement that was genuinely revolutionary for its time. It still has a traditional balance wheel, but here's the clever part: instead of being powered by a mainspring, the balance is driven electrically by a 1.5-volt battery. A curious little bridge between traditional mechanical watchmaking and the electronic revolution that was just around the corner.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs for how many were actually made, that's where things get interesting. Universal Genève has never disclosed exact production numbers, although the brand has confirmed that quantities were \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003elow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. And judging by how seldom these turn up, we'd say that's putting it rather mildly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor the Polerouter collector who thought they'd seen just about everything, here's a little reminder that there are still a few surprises out there.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion-panel product-description rte show\" itemprop=\"description\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion-panel product-description rte show\" itemprop=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion-panel product-description rte show\" itemprop=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTHE FINE PRINT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaker: Universal Genève\u003cbr\u003eReference: 219301-1\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Stainless steel\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrystal: Plexiglass\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLume: Yes Tritium\u003cbr\u003eBracelet\/Strap: Lizard strap\u003cbr\u003eBox\/Papers: Non\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003e-This watch was photographed on a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6.9 inch \/ 175mm wrist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Time Curator","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67669535555769,"sku":null,"price":4400.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0560\/1768\/2617\/files\/polerouter_electric_6ec0a5cf-1877-4e35-b36b-dd1594062b95.jpg?v=1791471191","url":"https:\/\/thetimecurator.com\/products\/universal-geneve-polerouter-electric-ref-219301-1-electro-mechanical","provider":"The Time Curator","version":"1.0","type":"link"}