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  1. Verdi Dec 8, 2018

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    hi everyone,

    I recently managed to aquire an Uni-Compax and I’hv had trouble finding a decent oem sized strap.

    It should be 19mm at the lugs and 14mm buckle as my watch still has the original one. In fact, I also believe the strap is an original one, too but, alas, a new one is needed.

    Question is: Where did you source yours from?

    The only place I found one is cousinsuk.com. They have an alligator matt strap for 60£.

    Also, because of the female spring bars I gather that the strap for this watch should be fairly soft so you can fit it without any damage to the bars or lugs.
    Knowing this, what type of leather would be recommended?

    Some photos of the culprit.
    UG Uni-Compax, 124146-3, 37.5mm.

    ATTACH]669065[/ATTACH] 81F8D576-F0AA-43EC-B517-2F569947764C.jpeg D4587B55-82F0-4D73-8113-A29E3949EAE9.jpeg 9D0633AD-E8F0-4210-AB98-8D8693CC661D.jpeg
     
    2FE634E1-25B7-4A41-9FB6-AA9CDEB557D8.jpeg
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  2. Florent Dec 8, 2018

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    very nice watch, but your buckle is later than the watch ;)
     
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  3. Verdi Dec 8, 2018

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    I see! The watch is from 1961 according to the serial. Which buckle should be?

    Nevertheless, I am happy to have an original one even if it’s not the period correct one.

    Any advice on the strap?

    PS: thanks again for your compliment on the watch!
     
    Larry S likes this.
  4. LaurentBxl Dec 8, 2018

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    Are you sure it is 19 and not 20? i will check mine as i need a new strap too but i'm sure my Polerouter is 19 and thought my Compax was 1mm more. fyi i will order a veal patinea at Camille Fournet (check their website), the build on order and of course you can have any combination you like.
     
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  5. Verdi Dec 8, 2018

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    I think you are right. I measured again today and the existing strap is 20mm.

    So, I guess I am now looking for 20mm with 14mm. This should make it easier.....in theory! because most of the 20mm strap are 18 or 16mm at the buckle.
     
    Edited Dec 8, 2018
  6. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Dec 8, 2018

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    Congratulations on landing a superb UNI! These watches look great with Gator or lizard skin. However ... if you don’t have practice time with female spring bars you will ruin an expensive strap. Reccomend a softer stitched leather. There are instructions from Dre here on how to do it. 20/14 is going to require a custom strap. There is a thread here on OF on strap makers.

    One of mine on burgundy lizard.
    EC35645B-EB17-4E81-9C1B-5178B8F167C2.jpeg
    F9E3471F-3ACB-4A2F-B575-889FBFC81CFE.jpeg

    And another on a softer custom strap...also with a later buckle... 5E8117EA-2BE0-41FD-824C-E8294BA0C7BC.jpeg E0CFF7CE-FC00-4BB1-842E-811DCE15C329.jpeg
     
    E547AD71-457B-4B4A-9FB3-E86940C638B3.jpeg
    Edited Dec 8, 2018
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  7. MarktheTime Dec 8, 2018

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    If it’s of any interest, I listed this one on eBay recently, 20x14...
    https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/163419483581
     
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  8. MarktheTime Dec 8, 2018

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    Sharp watch, by the way! :thumbsup:
     
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  9. Verdi Dec 8, 2018

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    Thank you all for your contributions and also for the kind words on my purchase.

    @Larry S
    Your watch is gorgeous and it looks amazing on that strap. I see you have 2 buckles. Which one is the correct one for your watch?

    @MarktheTime
    Thanks. That strap you are selling looks good and it does interest me.
     
  10. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Dec 8, 2018

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    Two different watches...the 37mm on Burgundy has a correct 16mm buckle.. the 35mm on stitched brown (from “strapped for time”) has a later 14mm buckle. I really don’t care. Sorry about the dupe .. editing posts on IPhone is a pain...
     
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  11. NT931 Dec 8, 2018

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  12. Verdi Dec 8, 2018

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  13. bgrisso Dec 8, 2018

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    I wouldn't pair a fat U buckle with an earlier watch, but that's just me. (I will pair a pointy U buckle with earlier watch, but that's because period correct earlier ones are impossible to find and also basically unmarked, so a little boring).

    Sounds like you are looking for one of these below.....20 to 14mm UG strap with pointy UG buckle......

    However if you let go of your 14mm fat U buckle, then your options are wide open, you can use any 20mm strap.

    Prepare yourself for a bit of hell trying to fit a fancy strap w/ female lugs. I will say I have ruined at least one expensive vintage strap myself on my first attempt :mad:

    Good luck :thumbsup:
     
    P1010968_adj.jpg P1010970_adj.jpg
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  14. Verdi Dec 8, 2018

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    @bgrisso

    Thanks the input. I think I just have to settle for the buckle that I have. It might not be the period correct one but it is UG at least.

    Btw, for my own info, when did these fat U buckles come into action? ‘70s?
     
  15. bgrisso Dec 8, 2018

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    you can probably get a pointy U buckle for around $100 at some point if you want. According to the logo chart in Sala that Fat U logo was used starting 1960, but I'm not sure how that corresponds with the use of buckles, I imagine it would be roughly similar?
     
  16. Verdi Dec 8, 2018

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    I see, thanks.
    The reason I asked is because my watch is from 1961 according to the serial. So, I was thinking that it might be the correct buckle at the end of the day....
    But I stand corrected
     
  17. bgrisso Dec 8, 2018

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    depends on what you mean by correct I suppose? perhaps it could have been sold that way if the dates match up? But for me personally, the pointy U on the dial (and I assume the crown also?) go with a pointy U buckle. But that could just be personal OCD.....
     
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  18. Verdi Dec 8, 2018

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    Yes, this is what I meant. That it could hv been sold that way, with that buckle.
    But I am here to learn hence my questions. Thanks for explaining it to me
     
    Edited Dec 8, 2018
  19. NT931 Dec 8, 2018

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    You're most welcome!

    Here's my RG jumbo UG which has similar lugs to yours though the dial is different. Mine is on a custom croc strap, and yes it was a tough job with those female springbars!

    FF426A91-AC0D-435D-9C2C-825F425A67AE.jpeg
     
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  20. Verdi Sep 16, 2019

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    So, a bit of an update.
    I hv found a nice lizard skin strap for my watch. 20-14mm, so the buckle fits it.

    It looks nice but I am gonna hunt for another one, maybe a little more darker than this one.

    Meanwhile, watch has been serviced and it came back in a rather nicer condition. My watchmaker managed to remove some dirt from the dial and remove the scratches from the hands.
     
    B8FE5F6C-E3E6-43C2-8B83-1AA4D90EC12B.jpeg BC305DE4-0056-4459-95DB-4BD81414ED73.jpeg
    Edited Sep 16, 2019
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