Thin vs. thick needles of the later Compax

Initially I was attracted by the bold, rectangular needles on the sub dials of certain Universal Genève chronographs.

On my dream watch, the Aero-Compax 24h, these lumed small hands are very well accompanied by other bold, black and white design elements (ref. 890100/01):




So my first Universal Genève watch had to feature these needles and chrono second hand with lume. This is a ref. 885103/01, kind of reversed "Nina Rindt":




Recently I acquired a variant of this Compax with a blue dial and bezel insert:



Before the purchase I researched this model. All photos I could find showed this watch with the bold needles opposed to my piece featuring thin needles and a chrono second hand without lume.

On this UG forum I found an interesting image by GIGI showing two blue variants of the Compax:


The lower watch again has thick needles, but the top blue/white/silver version shows thin needles, while the chrono second hand equals mine exactly.

I would like to learn more about these different executions. Which came first? When was the transition? Were they applied simultaneously over some time?

Sure, providing the reference and serial numbers of my blue watch would help. However, the back is covered by the original "WATER RESISTANT" sticker, which I do not want to peel off.

Further informations, photos, catalogue images, etc. are really appreciated.


Cheers,


Mick

Hi Mick,
now i can say that the reference number of the blue dial / white compax is: 885108 - case number 28927XX


Courtesy R.J.

Your Aero-Compax is amazing!
to complete the parade of compax allow me to post the only configuration that is still missing ........... white dial and compax blacks ;-)


P.S. sorry for my english

Hi,


Thank you very much for the infos, which are in line with the numbers on my other UG watches.


Yes, I know that I'm missing this one -- with thin or with thick needles 😀


Cheers,


Mick

Revisiting this post I can just add some pictures of my reference 885108 for comparison. Firstly, I call mine the "Exotic" dial Compax. Well we have the Nina Rindt and the reverse Nina Rindt so why not the Exotic. The dial is just that with the metallic dark blue that sparkles when it catches the sunlight and the red accents at the hour markers make this rather Exotic to my eyes. My example has the thin register hands and the crown is incorrect (needs replacing). It is a little jewel in my collection and enjoy wearing it.
regards
Paul
www.heuerworld.com

Superb pics as usual, Paul. Is it on sting ray?

Hello Paul,



Thank you very much for showing us these gorgeous photos of your great watch. It's only the second example with thin needles I saw.

Thanks also for the reference number. Is there a minor number like in "885108-1"?


"Exotic blue" would be a bit more significant. This term would also allow to distinguish this model from the other blue model, the "exotic silver"?


It seems that your watch shows similar marks on the white sub dial as mine:




Cheers,


Mick

Mick - Exotic Blue is a fine name for this execution and I will adopt that name for the future. Maybe it will stick 😀
My example does not have an additional reference number just 885108 and serial 2,892,9xx.
As for the band I blieve it Stingray also know as galuchat. It came with the watch and I think its a good match however I would say this is made made material to look like galuchat.
regards
Paul
www.heuerworld.com

Mick - my example also has some fine marks on the sub dials. Maybe the same, slights shakey watchmake as yours.
regards
Paul
www.heuerworld.com

Paul, Mick -

Mine has the wider sub-hands with the lume in it... no submarks on the subdials. I wonder if it's one of the reasons they changed it? Exotic Blue is definitely a good name. I call my Nina my Nina, for obvious reasons, and the Blue, usually just the Blue UG... but I think Exotic Blue makes more sense. Here's a few pics of mine, two of which are on a custom strap. That sunburst really makes it.

PS - Paul, Your second photo of your Exotic Blue... without that T shape. Man, if they'd made it like that this thing would be... 200% perfect.

An high res scan of mine…….

Thank you very much for this huge image behind the link.

Could you please tell us something about the metal bracelet I saw already in another of your photos.

Regards,


Mick

Hi!
the bracelet is a JB Champion for Universal Geneve, with UG logo on the clasp.

Bye

What's the explanation for the subdial markings then? Coincidence=Causation?

LouS,

I don't know - mine are all the flat blunt ended ones. no subdial markings. I'll take a high-res photo tomorrow.

...anyone know where I can source one or three of these UG bracelets? JB Champion or Gay Freres? :-P

B

Bumping this thread with a recent pickup as well as an example that sold on eBay

Picked up a black dial Compax with applied logo and needle subdial hands. Serial is 2354XXX. Needs a service but I'm thrilled with the watch.

The second picture is an example of the same reference (885103) with serial 2355XXX. Sorry for the low res, I saved it down from eBay after the auction ended.

My example has light marks on the subdials - hard to see them in the pictures as the crystal is crazed, but they are there. Seems to follow the trend that the earlier needle hands may have had dragging issues?

Also, I wonder if we can get enough serial numbers to estimate production numbers?

Lovely Universal Geneve Compax 885108.
I currently own a Nina and now looking for one of these Blue 885108
If anyone can help me located one, are the specks the same as on the Nina on this Universal Geneve Compax 885108
Thanks
Olivier

Stunning example. Dibs on this beauty!