Description: A MODEL CREATED BY THE GENIUS GÉRALD GENTA.THIS WAS HIS FIRST MAJOR WORK, FAMOUS AND UNFORGETTABLE, WHEN HE WAS ONLY 23 YEARS OLD. AND MANUFACTURED BY ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED WATCH MANUFACTURERS OF ITS TIME. THE UNIVERSAL. Rare automatic watch caliber 215-9 with 28 rubies - Universal Geneve brand - equipped with a state-of-the-art micro-rotor, same installed at Polerouter. Dial, hands, cover, machine - a rarity for collectors. Approx. diameter: 34mm excluding the crown. Central second. Leather bracelet and clasp not signed. In 1954, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System) established the first commercial flight between Copenhagen and Los Angeles. The 2600 km journey over the North Pole was a real challenge and an achievement for the pilots but also for the equipment on board. The temperature and high magnetic fields of the polar region damaged and falsified the pilots' instruments, putting the crew and the expedition at great risk. When SAS realized the importance of having reliable instruments on board, the company asked Universal Genève to produce a specific watch capable of withstanding these particular conditions. The renowned brand took advantage of the opportunity and called on a then young (23 years old) Gérald Genta (Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus, IWC Ingenieur, Cartier Pasha…) to design and develop a specific watch. Poleuter was born, an icon in the making. Initially called “Polarouter”, the watch was quickly renamed “Polerouter”, certainly due to pronunciation problems. The watch was launched in 1954 and advertised as a commemorative piece of the historic flight. The Polrouter was instantly recognized as the official watch of SAS pilots. Inaugural flight of the Polerouter On November 15, 1954, at 7:18 pm local time, the "Helge Viking" (OY-KMI) took off from Copenhagen for the first commercial flight over the North Pole (flight number SK 931). The destination airport was Los Angeles (USA). The aircraft was a Douglas DC-6B with a wingspan of 35.8 m, equipped with four 2500 hp Pratt & Whitney propeller engines (18-cylinder twin in-line radial engines). The maximum cruising speed of this machine is 507 km/h. The range is 7,600 km and the maximum cruising altitude is 25,000 feet. The long-haul aircraft used by SAS had a capacity of 50 to 75 passengers. Hello, dear buyer! Don't miss the opportunity to buy this rare vintage piece in excellent condition. Take the opportunity to discover our rarities for sale here on eBay and, if you are interested in a specific brand or piece, consult me about our collection of more than 300 vintage pieces (manual winding, automatic, wrist, pocket, gold and silver case).
Price: 849 USD
Location: Santos, SP
End Time: 2024-09-27T18:57:13.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: Universal
Department: Men
Type: Wristwatch
Movement: Mechanical (Automatic)
Customized: No
Display: Analog