Reference 5123

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Hi,
Seeking any information of my reference 5123.
A rhree register chrono with both telemeter and tachymeter scales in miles.
Near mint condition.
Serial number 707075( 1938? )
Thanks!
Matti
 
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As already stated in your other thread: not much known about the 4 digit references.

Bad news: this may be a redial but let others chime in
Edited:
 
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yes, the dial has been redone. The case looks in quite good shape. The crown is from much later time period. I'm surprised to see a redial in what looks to be such a good condition case. Anyhow OP, what is the history on this watch?
 
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Gonna need to dig into Sala on this one.
 
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yes, the dial has been redone. The case looks in quite good shape. The crown is from much later time period. I'm surprised to see a redial in what looks to be such a good condition case. Anyhow OP, what is the history on this watch?
yes, the dial has been redone. The case looks in quite good shape. The crown is from much later time period. I'm surprised to see a redial in what looks to be such a good condition case. Anyhow OP, what is the history on this watch?
Hi,
Not a redone dial.
The watch happens to be one of those that hardly has seen any use under it’s lige time.
Could you help me here, when did the first crowns with the Universal logo come out?
 
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End 1950 or so?

So why don't you think it is a redial?
 
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Does the dial have Swiss or Swiss Made at 6?

Shouldn't it have the chonograph range nomenclature also on the dial - e.g. Compur, Compax etc?
 
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Does the dial have Swiss or Swiss Made at 6?

Shouldn't it have the chonograph range nomenclature also on the dial - e.g. Compur, Compax etc?

It says swiss made, which is often, but not always, an indicator of a redial

And yes it should say the model, with this early case serial, I assume it should say Compur

The fonts on the UG text don't look right, and the centering on the running seconds subdial is very off, etc, etc, etc
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This has pretty much all the aspects of a redial.
Very off-center subdials, slightly strange font, “Swiss made”…

The late 30s Compurs sometimes didn’t have the “Compur” sign, but it’s very very uncommon for Compaxes (and this is a Compax) though (I have seen some unmarked Contaxes, but this is not a Contax).
But they definitely didn’t have “Swiss made” on the dial (either nothing at all, or “Fab. suisse”). At least I haven’t seen any, so far. Some “Swiss made” signs are documented for specific references (22209 and similar).
Edited:
 
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This has pretty much all the aspects of a redial.
Very off-center subdials, slightly strange font, “Swiss made”…

The late 30s Compurs sometimes didn’t have the “Compur” sign, but it’s very very uncommon for Compaxes (and this is a Compax) though (I have seen some unmarked Contaxes, but this is not a Contax).
But they definitely didn’t have “Swiss made” on the dial (either nothing at all, or “Fab. suisse”). At least I haven’t seen any, so far. Some “Swiss made” signs are documented for specific references (22209 and similar).

are Compur 45 seconds and Compax 30 on the right subdial, I can't remember offhand
 
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are Compur 45 seconds and Compax 30 on the right subdial, I can't remember offhand

Yes.
Compur 45, Compax 30.
(With a minor exception - the cal 270/289 Lady Compurs/Uni-Compaxes also have only 30 seconds)
 
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Very off-center subdials
Give away is also the position of the 25 and 35. Should be symmetric 😉
 
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Hi,
Not a redone dial.
The watch happens to be one of those that hardly has seen any use under it’s lige time.
Could you help me here, when did the first crowns with the Universal logo come out?

even I can tell that’s a redial. 4 digit Reference starting with 5, most likely early 40’s
 
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According to Universal Geneve made 1938-39
Mark, could you kindly educate me about the off- center subduals, I cannot see it…..
 
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He’s referring to the printing not lining up with the sunken area of the sub-dial. On the left dial, look at 15. It’s right up to the edge. By 25 it’s moving away and at 45 it’s far to the right. So, the printing is not centered within the dial area
 
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I actually mean that the distance from the red circle should more or less be the same for 25 & 35 (the blue circles)



But also: all fonts are off
 
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He’s referring to the printing not lining up with the sunken area of the sub-dial. On the left dial, look at 15. It’s right up to the edge. By 25 it’s moving away and at 45 it’s far to the right. So, the printing is not centered within the dial area
He’s referring to the printing not lining up with the sunken area of the sub-dial. On the left dial, look at 15. It’s right up to the edge. By 25 it’s moving away and at 45 it’s far to the right. So, the printing is not centered within the dial area
Thanks Captain, see what you mean.
Hopefully someone would find info about ref. 5123.
Personally I suspect it to be a special reference for either UK or US military use market, hence the unusual ” swiss made” marking and no compax….
Do you know who printed the dials for UG?
Error human est?
 
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Understand you quest but it is what it is: just a normal chronograph with a - not too bad - redial. Not a human error as such but just a redial. No military connection whatsover. The number of military UG’s is limited and this one is certainly not one.

Sala does not say much about the 4 digit references. Your only chance on more info is finding a catalogue with a picture of that reference.
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My 1938 Zenith/Universal catalogues have 4 digit references starting with 2 and 3 so I have to assume those starting with 5 would be later.