Humphrey Bogart's Watch ID: Universal Geneve Compax

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lordfancyface

·Aug 27, 2025

Hello all,

Is anyone able to identify the watch Humphrey Bogart is wearing in this photo?

Thank you.

John

 

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Speed2Sea

·Aug 27, 2025

AI Search Results:

"In the 1950s, Bogart wore a three-register chronograph in films like Deadline - U.S.A. (1952), In a Lonely Place (1950), and Chain Lightning (1950). The brand and model remain unidentified, though some speculate it was his personal watch, possibly a Gruen or another vintage chronograph."

 

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Porteroso

·Aug 27, 2025

Doubt it is a Gruen. The dial has 2 lines of text, and the upper is clearly longer and the same size font as the lower.

I'm wondering if above the center subdial, that's a curved line of text, which would really narrow it down.

 

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Speed2Sea

·Aug 27, 2025

Porteroso

Doubt it is a Gruen. The dial has 2 lines of text, and the upper is clearly longer and the same size font as the lower.

I'm wondering if above the center subdial, that's a curved line of text, which would really narrow it down.

Interesting Bogart Watch Video.

 

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bgrisso

·Aug 27, 2025

I was immediately reminded of something like this.

 

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lordfancyface

·Aug 28, 2025

bgrisso

I was immediately reminded of something like this.

I think this might be it! Thank you!

 

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Dan S

·Aug 28, 2025

I also jumped right to UG.

 

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Waltesefalcon

·Aug 28, 2025

I'll third UG as my first guess.

 

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lordfancyface

·Aug 28, 2025

Yes, I think it is definitely the UG. This is a new watch to me and it seems pretty rare

 

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Porteroso

·Aug 28, 2025

It does seem to be that exact watch.

Dibs!

Edited: Aug 28, 2025

 

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Fallout Boy

·Aug 28, 2025

pro UG

 

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Duracuir1

·Aug 28, 2025·Never Used A Kodak

A few years ago a member here. Collector 194 something had a Bogart watch that he got at an auction.

He sent it to someone who was claiming to want to make a documentary, but things were moving too slowly and the member became suspicious.

I think he got his watch back when some members here came to his rescue.

Some checks of past threads (some that may appear below in « similar threads ») may provide details.

I forgot to look before replying…

Bogey was great.

Edit. Yep. Collector1946’s thread appears below. If he is still active he may have info on that chrono.

 

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gatorcpa

·Aug 28, 2025·ΩF InvestiGator

I was actually thinking Tissot:

gatorcpa

 

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Deafboy

·Aug 28, 2025·His Holiness Puer Surdus

gatorcpa

I was actually thinking Tissot:

gatorcpa

It seems to me the big, fat "12" points to UG.