Hi guys, I've been tracking this tri-compax for at least 3 years and now am in the position to buy it. I just wanted to get other opinions as I want it so much i may be ignoring common sense. Anyway i' know the last three owners and knows it sat in a safe for MANY years. It appears all original and minty fresh. Seller's price is not too far over $US10k. A lot of cash, but I've never seen another 40's UG in this shape. Is this over priced? Cam
More pictures ???? From one picture, very nice dial ! 10k is a lot in my opinion! Similar one that I wear with an original dial (not mint ).
Beautiful piece. Not an insane purchase at $10k, but not what I would call a good buy. That's more like a Phillips auction price for that watch.
Its very nice. more desirable with the claw, spider, lugs ! Until I see 40s and 50s UG Tri-compax go for 10k or more I would be patient !
On the other hand .... make an offer. Beautiful watches like this are pretty rare now. Perhaps you can snag it for less.
no harm at all making an offer, you never know. What's the size of it? I think this is very important also to determine the market vakue of the watch. 37mm examples in very good and more imporantly all-original conditions are getting increasingly difficult (not to say nearly impossible) to find if not for silly money! Market value for 70' models is IMHO insane, now even 60's and late 50's models are above 10k... Not too sure why 40's won't go there or more: for me these are actually the real good looking ones, not the later ones!
If I had been hunting this for three years, I'd not it let it slip away. I'm not objective either. I love old Tri compaxes and this watch is a stunner.
37mm. 287. Private owner, not even a dealer. though he got told chritises or Philips would bring him 15k ish, so that is in his mind.
The watch really is in a predestine condition. But 10k is a strong price, even if it is a 37mm watch. Christies and Phillips maybe will bring up to 15k, but you have to be willing to go through a big procedure than. As said before: Original pieces become rare, and prices are rising. And stainless steel ones are at least on the same price level than the golden ones, not like 70 years ago. From a historic point of view the early Tri-Compax are really a milestone in watch history, imho. For that reason I´m glad that I found an early one two years ago. The Tri-Compax is one of the highlights of my small collection. So I fully understand your wish to own one of these beauties. Good luck!! BTW: The first photo of your second posting is awesome!!
Yeah I have, thing is the GBP exchange rate is killing me.. Was so doable earlier this year. To make things worse, i could have bought this for £3600 ($4300) 2 years ago.. I turned it down due to financial reasons.. Hence i've followed it's journey ever since. Oh well. #thehunt
Stunning. I echo what others have said about case size. After or even parallel with dial I would say the larger case size is very important. Plus this one is steel, which I think many ppl value over gold. Checks all the boxes except price. I would snap it up for 8, 10 gives me pause. Is he thinking 15 net with auction, or gross? I think this thing would probably hit 10 on eBay but you are still looking at 10-15% fees. Good luck, I hope you get it !
As with everything, it all has to do with the relative value of $10K to you as well. You want THIS watch - not just a nice example, but this specific watch has tickled your fancy for years. Say it is "overpriced" by $2-3K right now - you have to ask yourself how much that money means to you, and if it is a dealbreaker on something you really want. For some people that amount is basically pocket change. For others it is a month's salary.
Its a beautiful UG Tri-compax, I just need evidence of a pre-1960s fetching 10k. I have not seen the larger old Tri-compax in awhile. Beautiful piece !