‘Spillini’ Compur ref 22492

I recently acquired this splendid Compur ref 22492 and hope it will find an appreciative audience here. The uncommon steel ‘Spillini’ case measures 36mm and retains its lovely lines. The serial dates this piece to around 1943.



Thanks solely to this sub forum’s relentless databaser (guess who?), the serial number confirms my watch as one of the very earliest Spillini-cased UGs found so far. This timeline ties in nicely with the earlier Compur dial designation, before the very relaxed transition to ‘Uni-Compax’ got slowly under way.



The movement is an unmarked cal 287. Initially this was a cause for concern. However, I had a feint recollection of having read years ago that many different brands importing watches to the US at this time hand-etched the description onto the movement to win as favourably-low an import charge as possible from the customs inspector. After reading around again, especially here, my mind was at rest. The hastily-inscribed description on the movement is now one of my favourite aspects of the entire watch.



How much priceless arcane knowledge is buried in this forum, all of it given for free, and how often I still find myself standing on the shoulders of the giants here. Vintage Universal Genève is the best!

Great example, and credit Martel for developing and manufacturing the movements.

What a beauty!

As already stated: superb watch!

Well, this certainly looks like something that has been languishing in a collector safe for years. Italy? Its magnificent. Huge congratulations!

stunning watch, congratulations! Good to know there are still gems out there to be found, it's gotten near impossible to find anything these days.

Thank you everyone for the very kind words.


Cheers Larry. Not Italy this time. It came from Australia via the US and has clearly enjoyed a very leisurely life. Nice to think of a watch with American import marks making the reverse trip back to Europe some 80 years later.


Cheers B and I couldn’t agree more. Maybe it’s because you have them all, though? 😉

It’s not me hoarding, I’m down to six UG, but I do think most of the good stuff is locked up in long term collections