Hi All, I've got my eyes on a 1943 UG Uni-Compax Reference 22269 and am looking for some advice. I would be interested hearing people's opinions on the condition of the watch (the significant patina and bubbling), it's general appeal (especially given its size and huge lugs – the dial is 38mm and it measures 45mm lug to lug). Also what do you make of the curious differences it has from the image in the Sala book – noticeably the left hand side chrono markings and the marking of 'Uni-Compax' rather than the Sala 'Compur'? I'm sort of in love with it but worry that it might be a bit big and the case a little overpolished. What do you think guys, is this a watch worth a shot? Regards
Friend Matt, I say that's a winner. These eccentric cases are one of the glories of UG - you can't let 'em go by if the rest of the watch is in any kind of decent shape, and this one is. The blistering of the dial veneer is a concern - that's not a stable situation, and you can expect further deterioration - but I doubt you will find its like again in a decade. From your pics, I can't see that the case is all that polished. As for the Compur/Uni-Compax thing, another collector recently showed me a similar instance of model name-mixing. It appears that the models were produced concurrently in the early to mid 1940s, the case references overlap, and the dials were fairly indiscriminately combined with cases at the time. If it were my money, that detail wouldn't stop me from spending it. let me know what happens, and if you pass it up, PM me the contact info of the seller!
I say you should match the position of the hands on your watch to the watch in the picture - 10:10:31 - and repost.
Love those hands and aged lume on the dial. Agree that the blistering dial veneer is a concern, but if it were my watch, I'd just leave it alone and enjoy the fact that it hadn't been re-dialed.
Here's a smaller one with a similar likeness for sale on Ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/131120415854?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:ITPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Unfortunately, the dial is refinished - though maybe a replacement could be found.