Hi everyone,

Very new to the UG game but really loving everything I am discovering so far.

I've recently been in touch with a seller who is offering this 37.5mm (w/o crown) Tri-Compax but my only concern is the following 2 things:

1 - The hands appear to be replaced (they still glow under UV, I have seen a video of it).
2 - The dial appears too "clean" for something that old.

The markings on the movement (UOW) would indicate it was meant for the US market and the caliber (287) and serial no ranges seem period correct.

Happy to hear views from the experts (you can click on the images to view full high res images).

 

redialed, unfortunately

 

Run away…

 

Let’s tick off what’s wrong here…
1) Lumed hands but not the dial … relume as well.
2) Redial with wrong fonts for the 40s
3) corrosion is odd for an SS case.
4) crowns in 40s …no logo.

 

The good thing is that movement is matching

 

Oh no....thanks everyone.

Lots to learn I guess about these, and I mean lots...

This is where perhaps in this case looking for a model from a reliable and reputable seller probably helps.

 

Basically:

 

Amongst other things already pointed out, not only a redial but an awful one at that.
Lots on this forum to guide you...be patient and choose well. A poor watch is a difficult thing to move on.

 

What was the sellers asking price?

 

It's not unreasonable (or so I think). USD 5750, probably slightly negotiable.

 

Ok, at the risk of creating many more threads, what's the opinion on these?

I'll share my views as well:

2 - A Universal Geneve from 1952. Looks authentic and untainted to me. This one is slightly smaller than I like at 35mm and priced (without negotiation) at USD 7000.

 

YIKES

 

This 2nd one is much better

 

3 - And a medico compax. I've spoken to this seller and he seems reliable. The minute hand had some damage on the tip that's been fixed hence the discoloration.

Honestly, I REALLY like the look of two-register chronographs....they have a wonderful dial symmetry that's especially appealing when on aged dials such as this.

This one is from 1943 and features an even more appealing size of 36.5mm (without crown).

The price of this is lower than the previous one at USD 6500, which I think is a bit high but I think there might be room for negotiation.

 

Very close sibling: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3248301867...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

Expensive dials these medico's

 

For the compact you will want to see inside and outside case back to make sure it all checks out, and the asking price is way too high IMO

for the Medico you need to research if this case ref 22544 is actually for medico or not, as per the other example above?

 

Except for googling, I can't think of any other references for researching.

Also, do UG usually issue extracts? I've seen copies/examples of a few on some sites.

 

Nope. No extracts. In the past they did but nowadays the factory is dormant

 

I was suggesting the archives photos in the book by Sala. I just checked my copy and 22544 appears in the UG archival pics for the Uni Compax, so I believe that means it's not possible to be a Medico (case references are not repeated across different product lines right?).

Probably means someone swapped a Medico dial into a Uni Compax case.

 

I always thought that a medico dial could be acuired for any reference