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Recommendations for Universal Geneve Dial Re-finishing

dantheman3u4i
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I know this post will be considered blasphemy by most here, however, I made a rookie mistake and ended up with a 37mm, rose gold, Universal Geneve Uni-Compax, which in addition to incorrect hands, has a dial that has been horribly refinished.

I have tried long and hard to find an original dial to replace it with, but I simply haven't had any luck, and the watch has been collecting dust. So I have decided that I will try and get the current dial re-finished in meantime, so I can get some enjoyment out of it.

Does anyone here know a refinisher who does great work with Universal Geneve dials? I do not intend to try and fool anyone into thinking it is original in the future, but I would like to get it to as close as possible.
 
F
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Hello, I do not know refinishers but I guess you should state in what part of the world you are located to allow members to help
Good luck on your project!
 
dantheman3u4i
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F Federchicco
Hello, I do not know refinishers but I guess you should state in what part of the world you are located to allow members to help
Good luck on your project!

I am located in NYC
 
bgrisso
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dantheman3u4i dantheman3u4i
That’s not a bad idea. Any idea what you think the right price is for that set?

Do you mind posting a few pics of your watch? You want to make sure the case is the right style for this time period dial. If I recall, your serial and case ref are missing but at least would be good to make sure its not an obvious mismatch for this dial before you consider purchasing that ebay dial.
 
dantheman3u4i
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You are correct on the serial and case reference being polished away. But attached are some pics. Thanks!
59F89402-1CFE-4A30-BF1C-62A2A65120E4.jpeg B41F8589-C467-4B98-B477-46D403936D8F.jpeg E1A09006-CABA-4A2A-BAAD-5D36F8872DCB.jpeg B68CC20D-83BB-41FF-8D65-386727BA8824.jpeg
 
Oku
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dantheman3u4i dantheman3u4i
That’s not a bad idea. Any idea what you think the right price is for that set?
Start with 400$ and see what the seller offers.
You get a correct hand set, an acceptable dial and a complete movement. There are members who paid 150$ and more for hour and minute hand.
 
bgrisso
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I don't have any Uni compax myself, anyone else more familiar feel this dial below (which is Ebay link above) is period correct with the above case? $400 would be a good deal, I suspect you would have to go a bit higher.....
 
Uni Dial.jpg Uni Mvmt.jpg
Diabolik
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bgrisso bgrisso
I don't have any Uni compax myself, anyone else more familiar feel this dial below (which is Ebay link above) is period correct with the above case? $400 would be a good deal, I suspect you would have to go a bit higher.....

that's a good set (dial hands and movement). It looks like an early to mid 1950s and would go with the case above. $400? a mega bargain at that price. The dial alone is worth more! I am sure it will go for a lot more but good luck ...
 
dantheman3u4i
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Diabolik Diabolik
that's a good set (dial hands and movement). It looks like an early to mid 1950s and would go with the case above. $400? a mega bargain at that price. The dial alone is worth more! I am sure it will go for a lot more but good luck ...

Yes, I don’t think there is any chance of snagging it for $400. But can any of the experts here tell me what the value of the cal. 285 movement alone is, if I decide to grab the set?
 
Diabolik
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You would probably not get much change out of $600-$700 for a running 285 movement (time and Chrono all working) in good serviceable condition if you can find one. Some parts are becoming a real pain to source ! I have been looking for a 285 8270 for this one for ages and when they have come up, the price has been in the $80-$100 range!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universa...h=item260652d7db:g:yx0AAOSwo0JWPbcc:rk:1:pf:0

DSCN1239.JPG
 
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bgrisso
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I think oku was suggesting the low ball $400, not thinking they accept, but to see what number they come back with. However often it will be set to auto reject under a certain dollar amount. You can play around a little with offers and see what you find?
A serviced and fully running cal 285 must be worth at least $400, a complete hand set is reasonable for $200, the dial at $200, the stem and crown at $50, you are already at $850. Seller will obviously take less than $950, so I think it could work. You could even sell your old dial, hands, separate or with mvmt, and crown. Just a question of how long it would take you to flip the parts. You also want to be sure the dial will fit the case! Don't get stuck with another dial that you can't use......
 
dantheman3u4i
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bgrisso bgrisso
I think oku was suggesting the low ball $400, not thinking they accept, but to see what number they come back with. However often it will be set to auto reject under a certain dollar amount. You can play around a little with offers and see what you find?
A serviced and fully running cal 285 must be worth at least $400, a complete hand set is reasonable for $200, the dial at $200, the stem and crown at $50, you are already at $850. Seller will obviously take less than $950, so I think it could work. You could even sell your old dial, hands, separate or with mvmt, and crown. Just a question of how long it would take you to flip the parts. You also want to be sure the dial will fit the case! Don't get stuck with another dial that you can't use......


This is very true. I don’t think I’m in a place to be collecting dials at the moment. I really appreciate all the advice. You guys are great.
 
Mark020
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Any competent redialer will not be cheap anyway.
 
Diabolik
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bgrisso bgrisso
A serviced and fully running cal 285 must be worth at least $400, a complete hand set is reasonable for $200, the dial at $200, the stem and crown at $50, you are already at $850. Seller will obviously take less than $950, so I think it could work. You could even sell your old dial, hands, separate or with mvmt, and crown. Just a question of how long it would take you to flip the parts. You also want to be sure the dial will fit the case! Don't get stuck with another dial that you can't use......

I think your estimates are a little out of touch. Considering a service on a 285 is at least $250 (and the rest), $400 as you say for a fully working and serviced movement is unicorn stuff. That dial, hands and complete movement is priced very cheaply. With a case you would have a complete watch !
 
bgrisso
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Diabolik Diabolik
I think your estimates are a little out of touch. Considering a service on a 285 is at least $250 (and the rest), $400 as you say for a fully working and serviced movement is unicorn stuff. That dial, hands and complete movement is priced very cheaply. With a case you would have a complete watch !

yes I was just being conservative on the pricing to justify the purchase, even with the listing price at $950 it's still not a bad deal if someone is in need of those particular items....
 
dantheman3u4i
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Seller declined my request to just purchase the dial and hands alone. Also, said he won't take anything less than $850. I think I will get my current dial measured and then just go for it. From what I am seeing, it can be another year for another uni-compax dial to show up.
 
bgrisso
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If it fits, I think it's a pretty good option for you. If you are patient on the resale of mvmt and other parts, you may even recoup a significant part of that $$
 
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