Hi guys

Thinking of getting a Tri Compax, love the watch and have found these opitons. I like the vintage look of both however I cannot find this 1st numberless (although slightly showing in parts) dial anywhere else online and was looking for a second opinion if is gen.

Any help would be appreciated- also what price should I be looking as considering everything is working fine.

I am also looking at a more faded model and would love an opinion on this one also- again a price would be great with everything working fine.

Thanks

 

From the two pictures that you've given us, both watches appear original (would want to see casebacks, reference numbers, and crowns to say for sure).

Both dials appear original as well.

Servicing costs on these complicated pieces can be hefty, so factor that in to your price comparisons. From a dealer (ie de-risked and serviced) I'd say that you're probably looking at $4000-5500 depending on the condition of the piece. The biggest drivers being the dial, sharpness of the case, and originality. You can find less expensive examples on eBay from time to time, though you're taking a gamble depending on the value of the repairs that are needed and in finding the correct replacement parts.

If you buy anything from Italy (your first picture is watermarked Caso), be sure to pay up for courier shipping with full insurance from FedEx, DHL and the like. The Italian postal/transit service is notorious for pilfered packages. If you're importing to the USA, these shipping methods are also the most likely to be charged import fees (from FedEx and duties). There are other threads on this topic, but just fyi.

 

Thanks for your response- yes both are in Italy- will make sure I get insured package.

I have a pic of the back of the 1st watch- I have asked for life images of the second. Have you seen that 1st dial before? I cannot find it anywhere...

Removing aesthetic preference (I seem to like each equally) which do you think is the better watch (I know is hard to say without more info)...?

 

Yes, I have seen examples of both dials before. There is a good reference book by Pietro Sala on the complicated Universals that you may be interested in if you decide you're serious about collecting UG. I'd also advise you to spend some time reading through the older posts in the UG section of the forum. You'll likely absorb quite a lot.

The top watch appears to be correct for ref. 22258. Though the turned central portion of the caseback may not be factory original (these are usually seen smooth/shiny). Note how the graver appears to have gotten caught in the "4" and smeared it. Likely there was a caseback inscription or engraving that someone wanted removed.

Pick the one that fits your budget and makes your heart beat a little faster. Realize too that with vintage watches, part of the fun is in the hunt. If you're not enamored with either of these, there're always other tri-compax examples that will come along.

 

Thank you LouS, are you saying therefore that the hands may be wrong on the 1st?

Also I agree about the dial on the 2nd watch which is why have asked for normal images- am hoping their lighting was very poor

Thanks

 

Ok so you think they are original correct? Sorry to be a pain, have been collecting watches for a while and have never come across a model that has so many different variations...

Thanks

 

Without more complete pictures, we can only comment on what we see. But yes, both watches appear to be completely original/correct.

Universal is one of the trickier brands to collect precisely because of the number of variations that they put out--it also makes them an expensive brand to collect, because there's always another variation to bag. You're wise in doing your homework and in asking around for help!

Enjoy the hunt!

 

Amazingly well described- love their watches though, so original and great heritage (their new ones are a bit rubbish though aesthetically)- the compur too are beauties, but seems very difficult to find 2 which are the same. Used to the blandness of Rolex and JLC I guess...

 

Couldn't agree more. It's almost criminal what the current owners of the UG brand have done with it, particularly considering the rich history and looking over at the Phoenix story that is the modern Zenith brand as an example of what could/can be.

 

In a strange way though its what makes appealing though- people who know nothing of watches have seen/heard of Zenith. I love the understated value of these vintage watches and their style is second to none- stick a Patek logo on them and they would be 100k +

 

Its true to a certain extent- in London there has been a massive push on Zenith, adverts seems to be in Watches of Switzerland/Selfridges/harrods/Frazer Hart windows all the time.

They have been doing pop up stores in Canary Wharf and both Westfields malls . Of course not everyone will know them, but certainly a lot of people here will have noticed them recently- even had my girlfriend who knows zero about whats ask about an El Primero about 2 weeks ago...

Still beauties though- especially the vintage chronographs

 

Zenith has had a big pilot watch on the second or third page of the Wall Street Journal every other day for a while now... they seem to be finally spending a couple of CHF on marketing.