Larry S
· ·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.Dear UG Fans,
Hodinkee was giving the bounce to a very nice film Compax up for auction. The writer (I paraphrase) ) said that UG is mainly known for their chronographs and designs from the 40’s and 50’s and that few are talking about them these days. Fighting words, especially coming from the Dink who relentlessly pumped the brand back in the day, …so let’s talk about how we came to appreciate the brand.
My story is a tale of three watches and begins on a lovely September afternoon in 2015, in the Paris 7th winding down after a week of business. Post lunch and a bottle of wine, a colleague took me to his brother’s vintage shop where in his window were two 40’s TriCompax. I immediately asked to see them. I was enthralled by their complexity and style. To this point I had not paid much attention to Vintage save Rolex and Speedmaster. I immediately inquired about purchasing one and he flatly refused to sell them to me. “You cannot get them serviced in the States” said he. After hanging round the shop I managed to pry my 2998-6 from him with a friends and family discount. My first vintage…but UG had set its hooks.![IMG_7822.jpeg IMG_7822.jpeg](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1693/1693960-e657340d4778080d69571617cf709b31.jpg?hash=5lc0DUd4CA)
Upon returning home I made the acquaintance of a local on line dealer who had this Outdoorsman for sale.
![IMG_8347.jpeg IMG_8347.jpeg](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1693/1693968-29bea106df2c76aba8d20b7596683949.jpg?hash=Kb6hBt8sdq)
The Tri Compax still haunted me however and this came up on one of the vintage watch blogs for sale at Crown and Caliber. Furthermore it had an OF pedigree and a non issued military provenance (Royal Artillery). I was able to make a decent deal and it became mine. (of course when I posted it, someone called it a redial and was quickly corrected to my relief.)
![IMG_9168.jpeg IMG_9168.jpeg](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1693/1693962-3ce54627e0605c5503a63972ad775f91.jpg?hash=POVGJ-BgXF)
Since then I’ve bought the Sala book, now with a taped spine, added a few more Tri’s, Compur, Compax, Uni Compax, Aero Compax and Polerouters. I’m fortunate to live in a place with decent watch makers so, yes, I can have them serviced in the states. I’ve missed the Nina/Clapton train and am not adding to my collection but I still enjoy them. Whats your story?
Hodinkee was giving the bounce to a very nice film Compax up for auction. The writer (I paraphrase) ) said that UG is mainly known for their chronographs and designs from the 40’s and 50’s and that few are talking about them these days. Fighting words, especially coming from the Dink who relentlessly pumped the brand back in the day, …so let’s talk about how we came to appreciate the brand.
My story is a tale of three watches and begins on a lovely September afternoon in 2015, in the Paris 7th winding down after a week of business. Post lunch and a bottle of wine, a colleague took me to his brother’s vintage shop where in his window were two 40’s TriCompax. I immediately asked to see them. I was enthralled by their complexity and style. To this point I had not paid much attention to Vintage save Rolex and Speedmaster. I immediately inquired about purchasing one and he flatly refused to sell them to me. “You cannot get them serviced in the States” said he. After hanging round the shop I managed to pry my 2998-6 from him with a friends and family discount. My first vintage…but UG had set its hooks.
![IMG_7822.jpeg IMG_7822.jpeg](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1693/1693960-e657340d4778080d69571617cf709b31.jpg?hash=5lc0DUd4CA)
Upon returning home I made the acquaintance of a local on line dealer who had this Outdoorsman for sale.
![IMG_8347.jpeg IMG_8347.jpeg](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1693/1693968-29bea106df2c76aba8d20b7596683949.jpg?hash=Kb6hBt8sdq)
The Tri Compax still haunted me however and this came up on one of the vintage watch blogs for sale at Crown and Caliber. Furthermore it had an OF pedigree and a non issued military provenance (Royal Artillery). I was able to make a decent deal and it became mine. (of course when I posted it, someone called it a redial and was quickly corrected to my relief.)
![IMG_9174.jpeg IMG_9174.jpeg](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1693/1693963-9b417045db53b9ea77b5b7d35c59a570.jpg?hash=m0FwRdtTue)
![IMG_9168.jpeg IMG_9168.jpeg](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1693/1693962-3ce54627e0605c5503a63972ad775f91.jpg?hash=POVGJ-BgXF)
Since then I’ve bought the Sala book, now with a taped spine, added a few more Tri’s, Compur, Compax, Uni Compax, Aero Compax and Polerouters. I’m fortunate to live in a place with decent watch makers so, yes, I can have them serviced in the states. I’ve missed the Nina/Clapton train and am not adding to my collection but I still enjoy them. Whats your story?
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