Founded in 1894 by Ulysse Georges Perret and Numa Emile Descombes, Universal Genève is best recognized for their superb Compax and Tri-Compax calendar chronographs worn by prominent world leaders including U.S. President Harry S. Truman and Argentine President Juan Perón. Another important model produced by the brand is the Polerouter released in 1954, made for pilots of the Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). The model also served as the first commercial breakthrough for Swiss watch designer Gérald Genta. Since 1989, the brand has been in the ownership of the Hong Kong-based Stelux Holdings, a holding company that manages Asian watch retailer, City Chain.