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Tri-Compax feedback

alexkane
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Hi, new member here. Can anyone tell me about this and if it is original condition? Anything about the style? I haven’t seen photos of any that look quite like it.
Also, does anyone buy a non running watch? It’s so beautiful that I’ve been looking at it for two years and can’t decide if I should keep it or sell it and get camera equipment which is more my thing.
I brought it to JWatch in NY and they said it needs a mainspring and a spring pin for one side where the watchband goes. I haven’t had it worked on. I was quoted around a thousand dollars for an overhaul, spring and insertion of the spring pin (not sure that is correct term). Have a copy of their detailed quote. Don’t know if they are a good shop or not to repair a 1945 tri compax. Anyone here use them before?
Thanks for any feedback.

IMG_1989.webp
 
bgrisso
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Alex, it's hard to tell from just one pic (we need the other pics visible in your camera roll at the bottom, including the case serial and reference, and some other views of the case and dial).
That being said, offhand it looks like a very nice and original SS Tri, and definitely worth servicing.
$1k is not unreasonable in my experience, if they do a good job, I often spend between $750 to twice that depending on if it's just a service or if parts are needed.
I can't speak to the shop you mention. It's hard to find people really good at servicing Tri.
Look forward to seeing more pics of this Tri !
 
alexkane
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bgrisso bgrisso
Alex, it's hard to tell from just one pic (we need the other pics visible in your camera roll at the bottom, including the case serial and reference, and some other views of the case and dial).
That being said, offhand it looks like a very nice and original SS Tri, and definitely worth servicing.
$1k is not unreasonable in my experience, if they do a good job, I often spend between $750 to twice that depending on if it's just a service or if parts are needed.
I can't speak to the shop you mention. It's hard to find people really good at servicing Tri.
Look forward to seeing more pics of this Tri !
Thanks. Tomorrow I’ll take clearer pictures with a macro lens than these that I took with my phone.

IMG_2003.webp IMG_2006.webp IMG_2007.webp IMG_2008.webp IMG_2009.webp
 
bgrisso
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Beautiful ! I thought it was probably an oversized ref and it is. It's a less common ref 22543.

Is the tip of the hour hand broken off?

The main issue I see so far is the case, some pins are present and some are not, in terms of using female spring bars, so that's an issue. Haven't seen all 4 lugs clearly to fully assess what's going on.
 
lsj
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nice dial, but its pity for the lug condition.
 
Larry S
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1000 bucks is a good price for the work this needs. It will look ok after service. I’d be tempted given lug condition to do away with the springbar pins and have the hour hand gently reshaped. The watchmaker I use does not consider the Tri a difficult movement to service. (Unlike the Polerouter)
 
alexkane
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bgrisso bgrisso
Beautiful ! I thought it was probably an oversized ref and it is. It's a less common ref 22543.

Is the tip of the hour hand broken off?

The main issue I see so far is the case, some pins are present and some are not, in terms of using female spring bars, so that's an issue. Haven't seen all 4 lugs clearly to fully assess what's
I used better lighting. The blue in the outer numbers didn’t show on the photos I posted before.

_DSC1294 copy.webp
 
TexOmega
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22543 checking in....yes, get it serviced so you can wear it.

Waxing moonphase.webp
Edited:
 
bgrisso
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alexkane alexkane
_DSC1299 copy.webp _DSC1301 copy.webp _DSC1306 copy.webp _DSC1309 copy.webp _DSC1310 copy.webp
looks great, thx for additional pics. Its a beautiful watch, the lower left lug is your main problem (aside from a service, perhaps shaping the hour hand tip as Larry suggested (make sure they are confident, you don't want to ruin the hand) and a new crystal).

I'm not sure what to suggest on the lug, I wonder if laser welding is an option in this situation? I've never had to do this type of repair before, you need to do some research about what to do, and find the right person to do it.

Keep us posted.
 
alexkane
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I am having just the mainspring done and a polish of the crystal, not an overhaul. Then will decide the next step to take.
 
Larry S
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alexkane alexkane
I am having just the mainspring done and a polish of the crystal, not an overhaul. Then will decide the next step to take.
I would hope that your watchmaker would clean, lube and adjust the movement as well. So what I hope you mean is a movement service.
 
alexkane
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Larry S Larry S
I would hope that your watchmaker would clean, lube and adjust the movement as well. So what I hope you mean is a movement service.
I had dropped my watch off in August, to have it worked on. I am told it is running fine and will be ready in four days. He had someone working on the lug with the missing pin and it has been laser welded. So, hopefully by the end of this week, I’ll have info on everything that has been done and will take/share photos. Don’t want to get too excited until it’s back. Hopefully it will be as original as it was when I dropped it off.


IMG_3140.webp
 
Diabolik
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alexkane alexkane
Hi, new member here. Can anyone tell me about this and if it is original condition? Anything about the style? I haven’t seen photos of any that look quite like it.
Also, does anyone buy a non running watch? It’s so beautiful that I’ve been looking at it for two years and can’t decide if I should keep it or sell it and get camera equipment which is more my thing.
I brought it to JWatch in NY and they said it needs a mainspring and a spring pin for one side where the watchband goes. I haven’t had it worked on. I was quoted around a thousand dollars for an overhaul, spring and insertion of the spring pin (not sure that is correct term). Have a copy of their detailed quote. Don’t know if they are a good shop or not to repair a 1945 tri compax. Anyone here use them before?
Thanks for any feedback.

IMG_1989.webp
You have a lovely tri with a beautifully aged dial. Although it is expensive to service Tri Compax Moons, it well worth it. I would change the crystal at service. I would make sure they have detailed instructions not to change anything or attempt a polish and only get somebody who really understands dials to attempt a very conscientous clean (yes, it can be done, it is a bit like restoring a michelangelo fresco).
 
alexkane
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My Watch finally came back. The only things the shop repaired was the mainspring and having a lug laser welded. I think the Tri compax was too much for him and he only did the simple task of replacing the mainspring, and had a lug attached. The watch is keeping good time, but none of the other movements are doing anything. I love this watch, but I think this watch needs to end up with someone who has a good watchmaker that works on these.
 
IMG_3867.mov - 18.5 MB
bgrisso
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Dial looks nice. Can you post a closeup of the lug repair? What you say the other movements aren't doing anything, do you mean the other complications, like the chrono, etc?
 
alexkane
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Other complications are not doing anything.
I only have my phone with me, so better photos will come when I have my macro lens and camera.
The replaced lug is the bottom left.

IMG_3868.webp IMG_3870.webp IMG_3871.webp IMG_3872.webp
 
Larry S
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This is a nice Tri in need of a competent restoration. My suggestion is to send it to RGM in Mt Joy PA. What did this "repair" cost you?
 
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