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Just bagged this Universal Geneve Tri-Compax 1960's

  1. Diabolik Feb 25, 2015

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    Looks nice. I have a NOS bezel which should make it look the business. Dial is acceptable but not perfect (what is). Thoughts ?

    tri-compax.JPG
     
  2. Gavin It's the quiet ones you have to 'watch' out for. Feb 25, 2015

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    I would keep the original bezel on. May be the angle but not sure if the crown belongs to this reference as it looks a bit thicker although it's signed.
     
  3. woodwkr2 Feb 25, 2015

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    Pushers and sweep seconds hand may be replacements. Gavin mentioned the crown.

    The bezel is actually in pretty good shape. I'd keep this one installed as it matches the patina in the rest of the piece. Save the other bezel for your future acquisition of a mint dial/beat up bezel Tri-Compax ;)
     
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  4. x3no Feb 25, 2015

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    Good looking panda dial tri-compax! Nice pickup, and agree with others here, but still gorgeous watch.
     
  5. Carlton-Browne Feb 25, 2015

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    Congratulations - I'm glad it went to somebody on here. I made an offer and received a counter-offer - you obviously stepped in just at that point. What was I thinking :rolleyes:.
     
  6. x3no Feb 25, 2015

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    Did all tri-compaxes of that model come with the red second hand and red text for month and weekday? I seem to recall seeing a few that had a blue second hand and black text.. Sorry if this is the wrong thread, but figured I'd ask since this one was alive and well!
     
  7. woodwkr2 Feb 25, 2015

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    You're correct. They came with red seconds and red text and black text and blued seconds. Not necessarily limited to those combinations.
     
  8. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Feb 25, 2015

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    Like this one?

    [​IMG]

    The UG management subscribed to the Emersonian notion that consistency was the hobgoblin of little minds.
     
  9. Diabolik Mar 3, 2015

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    Just received. Not as bad as I though it was. Stripped pushers and sorted out long stem issue. Looks far better now! I think it was a bit of a bargain actually. Pushers look correct but will wait for the opinion of the experts on that. They do look right. A big plus is the serial and model number still visible (just about) on case back and match model (881101/01). Some discoloration on dial probably due to damp but movement seems perfect and all functions work correctly !!

    I suppose the serial in the 2.5 million range puts it around 1966-67 which is about right as the balance has brequet hairspring which was phase out just after that ...

    IMG_4042.JPG IMG_4043.JPG IMG_4044.JPG IMG_4046.JPG

    So, what does it need? I could do with a second hand and a dial ..
     
    Edited Mar 3, 2015
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  10. iflyem1 Mar 3, 2015

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    I like it. Looks nice
     
  11. woodwkr2 Mar 4, 2015

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    I'm still not comfortable with those pushers.

    In my experience, a new dial will be easier to source than a correct sweep seconds hand. When you really dive into it, I think you'll find that the profile is quite unique. Your best bet, may be to have one custom fabricated for you.
     
  12. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Mar 4, 2015

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    Well, if it comes to custom fabrication, Diabolik can handle it himself if past experience is any guide;)
     
  13. woodwkr2 Mar 4, 2015

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    Yes indeed. I, for one, am still appreciative of his work.
     
  14. Diabolik Mar 5, 2015

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    I am still working on those 1940's pushers and close to a result. i have to dettach sometimes and then return to the task with newly discovered vigor and enthusiasm. I am puzzled though ...

    @woodwkr2 - can you enlighten me on what you consider a little out of the ordinary with pushers? Here are two more examples of ref 881101/01.

    881101-01-2.jpg 881101-01-3.jpg tri-compax.JPG
     
  15. Diabolik Mar 5, 2015

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    Well, I suppose I have found a dial but check the prices ...

    http://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=70351587

    Grab 'em while you can as there seems to be a renewed interest. Looks like prices for UG's are going through the roof !
     
  16. woodwkr2 Mar 5, 2015

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    There's a redial in the bunch.
     
  17. Diabolik Mar 5, 2015

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    Yes, 24 and 25 are redials. nasty one at that ! He does say so though ("ristampato") and they seems to be (relatively) a lot cheaper.
     
  18. 88cut Mar 5, 2015

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    Here's a barn find. All original, numbera also visible on the back, even the crystal with the U logo.
    uploadfromtaptalk1425516748342.JPG
     
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  19. 88cut Mar 5, 2015

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    ...and a side view

    uploadfromtaptalk1425516886106.JPG
     
  20. Diabolik Mar 30, 2015

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    Found a cheaper (relatively speaking dial) and went for it ... Looks nice and makes the watch a million times better. I will not reveal price I paid.
    WP_20150307_018.jpg

    Still after a second hand if anyone has one ...
     
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