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Late Model V 72 Universal Compax

  1. LouS Ω 2

    LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Feb 3, 2013

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    Universal has been making Compaxes since the 1930s. On fact, the Compax is another of Universal's chronograph firsts, in this case the first chronograph with an hour subdial. Compaxes contained Universal's own movements (Martel's movements actually, but that is another story that will be told shortly) for most of their production history, probably to about 1960, when Zenith bought Martel and cut off the supply. At that point, UG continued the model line with Valjoux 72 movements, designated cal 85 in the UG catalog. These have proved very popular with the vintage watch crowd, despite the lack of "In house" movement.

    I lucked into an NOS one from a batch that was auctioned about three years ago.

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    The twisted-lug, external bezel case will look familiar to Omega fans, but is much smaller than the Speedmaster case
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    Fair to call this one an exotic dial?
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    American Champion bracelet on this one, although Gay Freres made a UG pattern.
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    Valjoux 72/UR 85 inside
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    Here with a less colorful model on a GF bracelet
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    Comparison with the Speedmaster from Chuck Maddox's page
    DSCN1848_640.jpg
    http://chronomaddox.com/competitors/speedmaster_v_compax/speedmaster_v_compax.html


    Post your late model Compaxes if you've got 'em (esp those of you with Nina Rindts)
     
    ErnieP, Woops, Florent and 23 others like this.
  2. Noodia

    Noodia Feb 10, 2013

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    This exotic dial Compax is an absolute stunner in awesome condition, thanks for posting this Lou

    Here's mine in the reverse panda dial configuration

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    Here with its Gay-Freres bracelet

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    bluish sweep hand

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    a joy to own and wear

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    nicknammed in reference to its exquisite ambassador, Nina Rindt, Jochen Rindt's wife

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    cheers,

    L
     
    Faz, valjoux72, Diabolik and 3 others like this.
  3. dsio Ω 2

    dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 10, 2013

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    Love the blue second hand, has that real 70s-ness about it.
     
  4. LouS Ω 2

    LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Feb 10, 2013

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    The Nina Rindt - quite propertly worn on a fatstrap, as she does with fetching effect - is to my eye the best of all of the V 72 Compaxes, even better than the exotic dial, because more businesslike and thus closer to the chronograph tool watch idiom. And that's a very nice example! Thanks for posting.
     
  5. HeuerLoon

    HeuerLoon Feb 12, 2015

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    I thought it's time to awake this thread from the dead. It would be good to see some more Compaxes given that it's quite a popular model
     
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    heypacha and Dogmann like this.
  6. old_stuff

    old_stuff Feb 14, 2015

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    Great looking watch! It is amazing how you managed to get hold of a NOS:)
     
  7. HeuerLoon

    HeuerLoon Feb 16, 2015

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    Some more photos of mine as I experienced problems over the weekend uploading from my phone
     
    10979271_345075955698075_1516204749_n.jpg 10979386_345075952364742_500995335_n.jpg
    George.A, citizenrich, woodwkr2 and 1 other person like this.
  8. ucsfgabe

    ucsfgabe Apr 2, 2015

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    Glad this thread has been awakened. Here's my 885103/01 aka "Evil Nina". By the way, can anyone here point me to the right direction with regards to sourcing a signed crown? Specifically if anyone has information regarding diameter of crown and case tube that would help my search further. Many thanks in advance! - Gabe

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    [​IMG]
     
    Dogmann and HeuerLoon like this.
  9. LouS Ω 2

    LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Apr 2, 2015

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    Very good. That'll stick.
     
  10. ucsfgabe

    ucsfgabe Apr 2, 2015

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    It's seems that's the new term going around Instagram for this model. I "googled" the model number and several hits came up with that nickname :)
     
  11. erpin9 Ω 2

    erpin9 Apr 4, 2015

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    How much is the UG
    How much is this particular UG selling in the market now?
     
  12. bazamu

    bazamu wincer, not a bidder Apr 27, 2015

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    An asinine price. A couple years ago, you could pick them up for a few grand. Nina Rindts in today's market are fetching anywhere from $10-20K (with recent sales closer to the top end of the range). Unfortunately, the Nina is my grail and the only way I'll find one at an affordable price will be through treasure hunting...and that yields about a 0.1% chance of coming across one.
     
    Diabolik likes this.
  13. Fer Seamaster

    Fer Seamaster Apr 29, 2015

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    My late tri-compax... With a thing which is quite important to me: calendar is in Spanish! This feature is quite rare I think.

    14537436811_f2ba161bb2_k.jpg 14354181110_454f1730f6_k.jpg 14560944823_13719e040f_k.jpg 14537435761_a14db51c19_k.jpg
     
    rolokr, x3no, Mick Tock and 5 others like this.
  14. calalum

    calalum Apr 29, 2015

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    Some great pieces in this thread. Thanks for sharing guys.
     
    rolokr and Fer Seamaster like this.
  15. zr4484

    zr4484 Dec 22, 2015

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    Does anyone know where I can find a blue sweep seconds hand? Any direction would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.
     
    rolokr likes this.
  16. Diabolik

    Diabolik Dec 22, 2015

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    0.1% is not bad odds. I think it will be more like 0.0001% ! Most recent one went for an eye watering $45K !!
     
  17. Mapearso

    Mapearso Dec 15, 2016

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    Bumping this up. I am looking for a replacement crown. Can anyone please confirm the correct crown diameter for ref 885103/01 ?

    Many thanks!
     
  18. waXology

    waXology Dec 15, 2016

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    I think we should leave this thread where it is.
     
  19. Mapearso

    Mapearso Dec 15, 2016

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    I'll hold out hope for a more helpful reply
     
  20. cakral

    cakral Jan 12, 2023

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    Hey guys, searching the forum for the correct crown diameter for the Nina 885103/02 MK1 (Shield)- could someone point me there or tell me ?

    Found on ebay offers for 6.1mm / 5.65 mm and 5.3mm.

    Anyone has spare crown to sell, please let me know- many thanks

    Here's mine
     
    20230112_145321.jpg
    billving, Thommas, amcclell and 2 others like this.