Square and slim, the Universal Genève Ref. 842676 from the 1970s is a quiet departure from the brand's better known chronographs and Polerouters. This 28mm x 28mm stainless steel piece strips down to the essentials, offering a minimalist aesthetic that still retains period charm.

Featuring an original black factory dial that is stark and striking, with a printed Universal Geneve logo, slender silver hands, and an almost meditative symmetry. Upon close inspection, a soft halation ring surrounds the center of the dial, a faint circular path with spotting where the hands have brushed the surface over decades. Call it an artifact of honest mechanical wear.

Inside, the watch is powered by the manual-wind Universal Genève Caliber 1-42 still ticking away confidently. It comes mounted on a tasteful black leather replacement strap that pairs perfectly with the watch's design. With its square case, minimalist layout, and quiet presence on the wrist, this Universal wears subtly and honestly. A perfect reminder that elegance isn’t always loud.