Query about my Universal Tri-Compax

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Hi all,

I bought a vintage UG Tri-Compax about 13 years ago and while I have loved having it, I am considering either selling it or trading it in for something else, but problem is I have literally no idea what the value of it is now, as prices online seems to be all over place dependant on style of Tri-compax.

It still works perfectly and I bought it from a well respected dealer in Italy. I have never seen this dial again for sale, but I have found it in a reference book with an example if it with the same dial, it is reference 22258.

Image of the watch and the reference book attached.

If anyone could help me out with what you think it is worth I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

Andy

 
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Dial and sun wheel are 90% of the value and both are less than ideal.
 
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What is your serial?
 
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I believe the serial 946808 (case back image attached).

I agree about the dial, but whenever I see a better dial it tends to be because is either a replacement or retouched, which I assume would hurt the price.

Thanks

 
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to give you a rough estimate of the maximum (dealers in Japan tend to be quite optimistic with pricing):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/305963318621

Also, note that your hour hand is not correct.
 
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I think 808 is fully correct but not in great condition
 
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Also in terms of the hand, are we sure it's wrong, it looks the same as in the link mentioned in earlier post (image attached)
I agree it looks like 793.
However, in my view it looks a bit too short. Imho 805 has better proportions.
If you follow your cited link, nearly all models with this kind of hands have a longer hour hand.

That's disappointing, I thought it would be closer in price to the watch in the link.
If I am correct, yours is 35mm, not 37mm. Apart from that I would never pay that much for a watch in that rough condition be it 35 or 37mm.
 
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Always try to find sold prices as reference, not asking prices, which are often wildly unrealistic, like in the link you posted.

Condition on yours is rough, it’s not going to be an easy sale or particularly valuable. Condition is everything, more so than ever.
 
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I believe the serial 946808 (case back image attached).

I agree about the dial, but whenever I see a better dial it tends to be because is either a replacement or retouched, which I assume would hurt the price.

Thanks



Not retouched in any way

 
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Ok, thanks everyone. I think I will hold onto it, it is a lovely watch to wear and the dial in real life looks a lot nicer and cleaner than in the photo (the photo seems to have picked up and magnified every small thing).

Plus I love that something 80 years old can be this complicated and so small, and still work perfectly. Also every time I look at it, it makes me wonder about its provenance and imagine where it’s been, which is cool.

Anyway thanks again.

Andy
 
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Here ate two of mine. Both have the same dial design as the OP. The right one is a 22258 reference (and left is 22259), both are very close serials. These are cal. 481 watches, so quite small sizes (34mm). Hence also the lower prices (compared to cal. 287 references like the 22502, 22535 or 22536 which are 36-37mm)
 
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The funny thing is that nowadays I am a bit hesitating with sharing info because it will end up at the internet without any credit. In this case I published an overview of the earliest tri's - of which this one - but that fact is not mentioned in the ad.
 
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Im not really sure what I’ve done wrong here?!

I initially started the thread to get advice on selling it. I did change my mind after speaking with you all.

But after speaking with my partner we decided to actually try to sell it, as the other watch I’m looking at is a lot cheaper and we could really use the surplus money. So I’m sorry if you’re offended, but that has to take precedence for me.

In terms of mentioning you in the post, I am very happy, so should I just mention you as Mark020 as the source?
 
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No not really but I would mention on C24 that this is one of the first series. And your asking price is ambtious
 
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Ok cool, I will mention it 👍

In terms of price, I do agree, I was planning a much lower price, but a friend, who is a watch dealer here in London, suggested to go higher as on sites like C24 and eBay I will most likely be asked for big discounts.

Cheers
 
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🥱







Hi all,

I bought a vintage UG Tri-Compax about 13 years ago and while I have loved having it, I am considering either selling it or trading it in for something else, but problem is I have literally no idea what the value of it is now, as prices online seems to be all over place dependant on style of Tri-compax.

It still works perfectly and I bought it from a well respected dealer in Italy. I have never seen this dial again for sale, but I have found it in a reference book with an example if it with the same dial, it is reference 22258.

Image of the watch and the reference book attached.

If anyone could help me out with what you think it is worth I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

Andy

 
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Here's a little about the watch, it is a Universal Geneve Tri-Compax 22258 style 793 from the first series.
It is not a style 793. It is a fully correct reference 22258 from the first batch. In the link I posted above I posted an overview of the known survivors. 808 is one of them