Georges Kern, CEO of House of Brands, visited Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 22–23 to mark the brand’s first showcase in the Middle East. This milestone follows the official relaunch of Universal Genève in Geneva and signals the beginning of its world tour. The choice of Dubai for this regional launch reflects the city’s position as a global hub for luxury and a key market for discerning collectors. The visit will offer an exclusive platform to present the brand’s heritage, vision, and future direction to the city’s key media, high-net-worth collectors, and partners in the region.
Kern’s presence, being one of the first CEOs to visit the region after Watches and Wonders 2026, underscores the strategic importance of the UAE as a priority market for Universal Genève and reflects a strong commitment to strengthening ties within the region’s dynamic watch community. By debuting in Dubai, the brand aligns its ethos with a market that values craftsmanship, innovation, and design excellence. It also highlights the brand’s ambition to engage directly with local audiences, reinforcing its long-term vision for the Middle East while celebrating the artistry and legacy that define Universal Genève.
“The Middle East, and the UAE in particular, represents a key market for us as we reintroduce Universal Genève to a global audience,” stated Georges Kern, CEO of House of Brands. “I’m delighted to be able to connect with a highly engaged and knowledgeable community, and to share our vision for the future of this exceptional brand.”
Universal Genève claimed the name “Le Couturier de la Montre”, setting itself apart through a distinctive creative vision: one that unites technical mastery with a strong aesthetic sensibility. Renowned for models such as the Gérald Genta-designed Polerouter, the Compax and the Cabriolet, the brand remains deeply appreciated by collectors today and was worn by some of the last century’s greatest tastemakers, including Nina Rindt, Eric Clapton and Alain Delon.
Today, the Maison carries its enduring legacy forward with a renewed artistic ambition, expressed through beauty, creativity and exceptional craftsmanship. The return of Universal Genève introduces a clear and contemporary vision of watchmaking: one that combines understated elegance with pioneering horological expertise.
About Universal Genève
Founded in 1894 by Numa-Émile Descombes and Ulysse-Georges Perret, Universal Genève is a celebrated watchmaker with an illustrious heritage. Renowned for iconic creations such as the Polerouter and the Compax—including the legendary Nina Rindt watch—as well as the Tri-Compax series and the Cabriolet, the Maison has become synonymous with innovative design, impeccable craftsmanship, and a storied legacy, noted in its 1960s advertisements as “Le Couturier de la Montre.” After several decades of dormancy, Universal Genève entered a new chapter in 2023, marking a decisive revival. Today, the Maison reasserts the spirit that once defined it: a distinctive vision of watchmaking where technical ingenuity meets refined design and cultural awareness. True to its philosophy of “Le Couturier de la Montre”, the brand approaches each creation as both a mechanical achievement and a creative expression, combining new manufacture movements, contemporary aesthetics, and thoughtful reinterpretations of its heritage.