Universal Genève Compax 1950

As the name suggests, Universal Genève was a company that was founded on a principle of universality. While a horology student, co-founder Ulysse Perret envisioned a future where his Swiss-made watches would have an appeal that far surpassed the bounds of the valley in which he lived. That dream was made manifest in 1894, when he founded a company with his friend and schoolmate Numa-Emile Descombes and named it Universal Watch. It wasn’t until 1919, twenty-five years after the company's inception, that the company moved to Geneva and acquired the appellation Universal Genève. Despite this move, the company’s products never lost their universal appeal, particularly as the dawning of World War II meant that the manufacture would find a market in the military sector. Increased demand for wristwatches suited for combat prompted Universal to release specially-designed military chronographs like the Aero-Compax (dubbed “Aviator’s Compact Chronograph”), which were used by various militaries o