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Rare Universal Geneve reference found. Help needed.

gemini4
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A friend of mine has been offered this watch, he is trying to determine if the dial is original as he has come to the conclusion the case and movement are indeed original Universal Geneve. He believes it is a Unicompax Roman, 281 caliber in 18k Gold, double signed by CAIRELLI and is very rare, like no other exact model exists. If anyone has any information they could provide I would be most appreciative. He has limited time to buy it as it is in a pawn shop and being released within 48 hours.. Thanks

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Dan S
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Since this is a 1930s piece, might it be a Compur, as opposed to a Uni-Compax?

Edit: Actually, it is a Compur. I found the ref 6246 on page 163 of Sala. The example in the book has a different dial and hand-set, but I don't have a reason to doubt the OP dial and hands. The A. Cairelli replaces the COMPUR text, which is plausible, but I have no direct knowledge. According to the book, the case is 30mm.
Edited:
 
Larry S
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Lousy pics but I’m not doubting the dial, case, movement and handset. What’s the ask?
 
delta_dart
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At the very least, the A. Cairelli font looks to be correct; here are roughly contemporaneous examples from a split seconds UG with Valjoux 55 VBR, for the Italian air force.
 
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gemini4
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Larry S Larry S
Lousy pics but I’m not doubting the dial, case, movement and handset. What’s the ask?

$5500
 
Larry S
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This is a piece that defies price categorization. Ordinarily that’s a bit rich for a small Compur. It’s in decent shape however. My watchmaker is inching towards $500 for full service now on chronographs.
 
gemini4
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Thanks to all of you who responded. So my friend actually reached out to Mr Sala who responded the following:

Hello, I saw the photos you sent me.
They are low resolution photos and if you enlarge them they grainy, so they are not the best to do an expertize.
From what I see, I'd say it's a "Compur" from the year 1937, about 32mm in diameter with a gold-plated caliber 281.
The dial looks original and dedicated to "Cairelli" supplier of the Italian Army (Navy and Air Force)
The 18k yellow gold case shows original hallmarks and features the case maker's hammer (115) Favre & Perret sa - Le cret-du-Locle
If you want to find out more about the UG brand, you can visit the website "http://librouniversal.it";, where you can also buy the complete browsable book online for €27.

If anyone is interested in this piece I think my friend is going to buy it with the intent to sell it. Thanks.
 
bgrisso
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Cool watch. With those kinds of lugs I am always concerned with them being bent or perhaps breaking off and being re-attached, so I try to look at that closely.

I would think they would have a hard time flipping for profit at 5.5K, hopefully they can get a better deal.
 
Mark020
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30mm (not 32) and bent lugs: I would say that 1500 is already challenging
 
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