Offered for your consideration is my 1950 Universal Geneve ref. 12568 Uni Compax chronograph retailed by Freccero of Montevideo, Uraguay. I purchased this watch from an auction a few months past mostly as I was intrigued by the presentation on the caseback. There are some that will notice Chronometre printed on the dial and no, this is not a chronometre rated movement. LouS, WatchFred and I have discussed this, with LouS provided me with a photo of another Freccero ordered UG ref 12568 within 10 units of this one which is identical. LouS, WatchFred and I all believe this was just a marketing gimmick by Freccero and there is no proof any manufacturer made a chronometer rated chronograph during this period. Now that I have had my fun with it, I am ready to pass it on to someone who is more the UG collector than I am. This chronograph has an 18k gold case in beautiful condition and measures 43mm x 39mm w/crown. The dial, hands and crown are original to the watch with the dial having an even patina that is common for watches from high humidity areas but the movement is pristine with no signs of moisture intrusion. Watch keeps great time and chronograph starts, stops and resets as it should. There is a one second advance of the sweep hand when the chronograph starts but a service will remedy this issue easily and recommend servicing as I have not done it and no record of when or if performed in the past. As for the presentation on the caseback, I have learned this watch was gifted to Luis Martino by Philips for being one of the first retailers to introduce color tv’s to South America in 1953 and the first Philips retailer in Uruguay. My asking price is $1500 shipping included to CONUS and at cost to EU depending on country. That is what I paid all in and passing along at the same amount which I feel is fair for my fellow OF friends and collectors. Have more references than I can list and feel free to ask LouS or WatchFred if desired, I’m sure you won’t need any additional. Thank you for considering! Wayne
Rare and interesting- the build of this particular 287 movement itself looks uncommon to me - why could it not be a chronometre? Wouldn't put it past UG for either scenario- making an early chronometre rated chronograph or marketing it as such even if it isnt
It’s an interesting question but proving it might be a different story. Might be worth it for someone…. Here is pic of the brother to this one provided by LouS. Sold 2015 at Auctionata.
Dunno. Could look at this the other way too. The dial is marked as a chronometre and the movement to me looks different and more fashioned than a common 287..
Very true on both! Definitely an interesting watch! Could be an interesting project for someone. I got enough Breitling projects to keep me busy!
I can't find a link (and looked through all Auctionata 2015 auctions). They mostly publish movement pics. Very curious to see whether that one also has the 4 digit number on the movement
Cool watch ! GLWS it sounds like LouS has the case serial number if it’s stated to be within 10 of this watch, maybe check with him about the 4 digit movement number? Sadly he doesn’t seem active on OF these days but maybe try insta ?
Lou have been dealing with a family illness so that’s why he’s been silent of late. Here are all the pics of the other watch he had but no movement pic was available. Per his notes it was sold in Jan. 2015 from Auctionada but I can’t find a listing. Maybe it was an EU sale. ♂️ The 4 digit number on the movement could have been an in-house Freccero thing or asked for when ordered. Again… ♂️ Lou have been dealing with a family illness so that’s why he’s been silent of late. Here are all the pics of the other watch he had but no movement pic was available. Per his notes it was sold in Jan. 2015 from Auctionada but I can’t find a listing. Maybe it was an EU sale. ♂️ The 4 digit number on the movement could have been an in-house Freccero thing or asked for when ordered. Again… ♂️