Universal Geneve Polerouter S20217-5 – 1955

Polerouter in original condition (service crown)

This early period version of the Universal Geneve Polerouter was manufactured in 1955-1956.

The low serial number suggests that it is a watch from 1955. The reference S 20217 – 5 was delivered with the serial numbers 1715219 to 1828597.

The design of the polerouter was created by Gerald Genta and characterizes Universal Geneve like no other model.

Polerouter history:

Swiss watchmakers Universal Geneve commissioned Genta, at the tender age of 23, to design a watch to commemorate Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS) polar flights from New York and Los Angeles direct to Europe. These flights don’t seem memorable now, but back then they were a big deal. It was the first time a commercial airline had flown over the Geographic North Pole. The shortcut enabled SAS to reduce the flight time from Copenhagen to Los Angeles to around 24 hours – without a three-hour stopover in Canada.

However, flying over the North Pole brought its own set of challenges. Of these, the extreme magnetic fields were the most important to consider. They completely paralyzed the SAS planes’ navigational and timing instruments, including the crew’s wristwatches. The airline was able to develop a new navigation system and thus had one less problem. But to resolve the time issue, the SAS had to turn to its official watch supplier, Universal Genève.

Universal Genève was already well versed in the technology of antimagnetic timepieces and brought in Genta for the design. This is how the new service watch for pilots of the airline came into being. The first version featured the SAS emblem on the dial and was presented to the crew at the end of the maiden flight to Los Angeles. For this reason, the watch was originally called Polarouter. However, it was later renamed Polerouter. The legend was born.

(source: www.chrono24.de/magazine)

Our specimen shows no traces of polishing, the case is still “sharp” and the diameter does not deviate by a tenth of a millimeter. It’s still 35.5mm

The Plexiglas is the curved original glass, the hands and the dial match the year of manufacture and the caliber 138SS (bumper automatic).

The watch was in the hands of the last owner for almost 40 years and was loved and cared for, but also very popular.

The movement has received a service in which the crown has been replaced with a new water and dust proof crown. The winding stem was also replaced.

Generic Vintage Beads Of Rice Bracelet with case-fitting end links The watch will fit up to a wrist circumference of approx. 20cm

Price: SOLD

*Margin VAT. The item is differential taxed according to § 25a UStG (German tax law). You will therefore receive an invoice WITHOUT VAT shown separately.

You will not have to pay extra VAT or import charges when buying from any EU country!

Included:

  • High quality Watchurbia watch box
  • certificate incl. photos
  • service report
  • warranty certificate

Diameter:

35.5 mm measured without crown

Warranty:

24 months*

*You can find the warranty conditions under this LINK

How to buy:

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The item is differential taxed according to § 25a UStG (German tax law). You will therefore receive an invoice WITHOUT VAT shown separately.

You will not have to pay extra VAT or import charges when buying from any EU country!

Delivery:

We ship via Express always. Shipping costs for all EU-countries are included. For shipping rates outside EU please contact us.