As has been stated before (http://omegaforums.net/threads/space-compax-how-many-versions.3589/#post-46212), there are fake Space Compaxes circulating. Now one comes up for sale on german ebay: http://www.ebay.de/itm/UNIVERSAL-GENEVE-SPACE-COMPAX-TAUCHEARMBANDUHR-VALJOUX-72-STAHL-/231090068328Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network This might be a nice occasion to post some comparison shots and enumerate the differences. I'm using my second execution for comparison, mostly because I don't have attributions for a lot of the images in my collection, so feel free to add your images as well as your comments and observations CASE: Fake: Real: Commentary: Real case has no chamfers along the edges and no bevels on the lugs DIAL: Fake: Real: Commentary: Overall quality of the fake dial is poor. Hour markers are shaped differently. Real dial has no tachymeter. Subdial numbers are oriented radially on the real watch, and the hands are fat, consistent with the pattern on many late UG Compaxes and Tri-Compaxes. This last feature is not consistent however. Real second sweeper is oversized with lume insert Hour and minute hands are tapered and consistent in design with late UG Compaxes and Tri-Compaxes. CASEBACK Fake: Real: Commentary: A diver on a space watch? Amusing Real one shows correct pattern for UG reference and case numbers. Correct Space Compax reference is 885104/01 and 885104/02 INSIDE CASE: Fake: Real: Commentary: Fake uses the "gear wheel" UG logo, which was phased out in 1953, well before the Space Compax was introduced, and does not have the brevet number. Oddly, the stamping is better aligned. MOVEMENT: Fake Real: Commentary: The movement is a Valjoux 72, but is the bridge is not restamped with UG's internal renaming of the caliber (cal. 85). The import code is hard to read, but looks like OZO. UG import codes are HON, NGH, or most commonly UOW. Also US-imported UG calibers are often stamped 'seventeen jewels unadjusted' where the fake one has "SWISS"
glad this has surfaced-------------there are quite a few of these out there....and I once fell for one of them but could never get over the diver engraved back ...................they all seem to be from Germany(mine also was) and they are passed off as second generation space compax.............I managed to get my funds back-but I was lucky...........................
One other thing to note is that the fake in Lou's photos has the standard Valjoux minute recorder jumper whereas the real one has a bespoke, UG version. Of course, this may have been swapped during a service, but something to look for.This is the part that runs from the right hand, upper edge of the balance cock and has a "hammer like" end, sitting in the teeth of the wheel on the right hand side of the chronograph bridge.
Also spotted from France and Belgium on eBay and Chrono24 I hadn't noticed that. I wonder what the point of changing that was.
I've seen and almost fallen for one here in The Netherlands, it was being offered by a German seller at a watch fair. I had just bought something else otherwise I would have been seriously tempted. At the time I felt there was something wrong with it due to the low asking price of E1500 but I wasn't 100% sure either way. Looks like I had a lucky escape!
interesting isn't it?I've checked the compaxes for sale and the five I found (some from very reputable dealers) are all very questionable-the only true one I found in japan has the wrong sweep second hand I think.............................beware........................................
the fake in the original post just sold for EUR1565/USD2109. Another victory for the forgers. Sad. http://www.ebay.de/itm/UNIVERSAL-GE...&pid=100033&prg=7513&rk=1&rkt=2&sd=2310900683Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
Thank you for all the informations on what is wrong and right for a Sapce Compax. I was able to acquire a Space compax with the certainty of having all the elements. Good job for me & for everybody. Thank you very much LouS Pictures of the beast...Case Dial with original plexi Movement Inside case Caseback form and most important ..pleasure
Hi Everyone, First post here but I'm a regular on Chronocentric/tz-uk/WUS. Sorry to bump an old thread, but I was wondering what the experts thought of this Space Compax. It looks all original, but the second hand is not red…your opinions are greatly appreciated!! George
Hello George, I am not the Best specialist about UG but for me she is good in this configuration I found this italian document on web The dial, the case, the hands are good the question is for the colour of second hand ? my friend NOODIA, more specialist than me, explain there is a lot of configuration on UG and so hard to find documentation. His opinion will be interesting ! I see the same configuration of your one on a japanese dealer ..... Good sign !!!! Keep the faith djayrom
Hi George I agree with djayrom - I think it is legitimate. Most examples in my picture library have a red second hand, but there are enough with an unpainted one that I believe it is a factory variant. The other, similar variation has to do with the subdial hands, which I have seen in both naked steel and blued steel. I take the characteristic feature of the Space-Compax second hand to be its sheer size. The butt-end is so long that it overhangs the hour subdial, as in the example you post and djayrom's above. This is an easy feature to overlook if you don't know about it, but you will occasionally see the Space-Compax hand mounted in a regular Compax and there it looks monstrously huge. I have not seen a similarly sized second hand in any other UG of the era. The example you post has a second hand of the correct size. I hope that's helpful
Thank you Djayrom, Thank you LouS! This is very very helpful, appreciate it very much and will post pics if I am able to close the deal! George
and...why am I not surprised?...here comes the fake again: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:dePurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
no it ain't. I think it's just not showing up if your ebay settings are US only. Put item # 231137166200 in to ebay.de