The Universal Genève Ref. 406511/1 captures the understated brilliance that defined one of Switzerland’s most respected watchmakers. Known for innovations like the Tri-Compax and Polerouter, Universal Genève was a pioneer in merging technical precision with timeless design, and this 1960s piece carries that same DNA in a more minimal, everyday form.

Its 37mm stainless steel case gives it an elegant but wearable size—slightly larger than many dress watches of its time—making it perfect for modern wrists. The black glossy dial is beautifully accented by gilt Arabic numerals and arrowhead indices, paired with a striking gold dauphine handset and a red central seconds hand. This pop of color brings just enough flair to what is otherwise a restrained, balanced composition.

Inside ticks a hand-wound Swiss movement, a hallmark of Universal Genève’s engineering finesse during the post-war golden era of mechanical watchmaking. The model’s clean dial layout and symmetry reflect the brand’s focus on functionality and proportion, hallmarks that collectors continue to prize today.

What makes this reference special is its position in the Universal Genève lineage — a transitional model between their mid-century tool watches and refined dress pieces. It embodies the brand’s quiet confidence, with subtle details that reveal themselves only on closer inspection: the curvature of the crystal, the applied logo, and the golden warmth of the hands against the black dial.

For collectors, this Universal Genève represents not just a beautiful timepiece, but a link to one of the most innovative chapters in Swiss horology.

Key Features

• Reference: 406511/1

• Case Size: 37mm (stainless steel)

• Movement: Swiss manual-wind (Universal Genève in-house caliber)

• Dial: Gloss black with gilt numerals, indices, and dauphine hands

• Seconds Hand: Red central sweep

• Crystal: Domed acrylic

• Strap: Black textured leather (aftermarket)

• Caseback: Signed “406511/1 – 1703792”

• Period: 1960s

• Provenance: Classic mid-century Universal Genève design, representing the brand’s move toward refined yet functional dress watches