Universal Geneve always appeared to me to be a bit of a minefield, and much like Rolex I never even considered buying one for fear of getting burned.

Well, today, with very little research and crappy photos, I bought one. I always thought they looked great (I mean UG vintage chronos in general), and hopefully this one is at least original and it doesn't seem to have been prepared for sale. It could be a few weeks before I get it, but will post the auction house photos I received now.

Any feedback, either positive or negative, will be much appreciated.

 

I hope the insides are not too rusty.....large water(or water vaper-humidity) entry point with that one pusher.

Hard to evaluate with these pictures, but that's where bargains are found, if you can stomach the associated risks.

 

This is a stainless steel compax from 1945.

The case looks great and not over polished.

Difficult to be sure with those smalls pictures, but the dial may be original.

Subdials, hour, minutes and chrono hands are original too.

I would pay around 600-800€ for this watch, maybe a little more !

 

It was part of a lot which came in at just over 900 euros, so after everything else is shifted this will likely be 700-800 euros (or a little less if I get lucky).

 

I would say nice little grab

 

It's difficult to say anything from those pictures but i don't like to see the "8" and the "4" cutted by the subdials in different positions.

But, for 700/800, with original hands and case and, hopefully, a complete and working movement i would take the risk too

 

I'd say you did ok, not the cheapest bargain but everything seems to be original. Dial looks original, love the hands, I'm a sucker for blued steel sword hands! 34mm stainless steel case looks good, the top pusher looks correct to me, judging from all other 22278 that I've seen. I like the crown on that one too!

Congrats mate, make sure you get it serviced first before even winding the crown!

 

Not bad.. once you get it, show us better pics!

 

I have a scan of a 22278 from Sala, and looking at it now it's clear that the numerals are much less cut on mine. That certainly applies to the 4, 5, 7 and 8, and probably the 2 and 10 also but they're harder to make out in the Sala scan.

Also I see what you mean about the uneven cutting of the 4 and the 8. I'll go and have a look for others on Google. With UG can you expect dial variations on references, or does the fact it differs from Sala immediately guarantee it's a redial ?

 

Whilst looking round I saw lots of posts regarding pushers, and the correct ones are often identified as ones with very little overhang between the cap and the other bit. My Sala scan has this type too. Maybe mine are also wrong then, but they do seem common ??

Is it OK to post a scan from Sala here ?

I never know whether they're are copyright issues on posting book material.

 

Found this one sold on eBay last year. The numeral positioning looks pretty similar to mine. It was sold as having an original dial but I don't know enough to say. Pushers look the same too, and maybe the crown. It's also a 22278 and the serial number is quite close to the one I have.

 

The case reference is just that - it has no bearing on the dial at all.

 

That would have been a good buy at 1200 or a little more so in my eyes you have done very well indeed. Lovely old chrono at a pretty rock bottom price even if it does need some work. I expect yo will have to shell out some money on a service and repair but you would still have a great UG chrono that is only going to appreciate ...

Well done and at 900 it was a no-brainer ...

 

Thanks guys... I'm based in Germany but have experience mainly with a couple of service guys in the UK and more recently with one in France. Is there anyone in Europe who specializes in servicing these old UG chronos, especially one who might have a stock of parts including a correct pusher cap ?

And if not, any pointers where I might source a correct cap ?

 

I can recommend a watchmaker in Germany who is really great in servicing old and compicated wrist and pocket watches.
But I don't know if he has such pushers.

 

For comparison this is another 22278 that is on the website of a well known dealer from Milan

 

And this is mine

 

@Oku could you PM me his details ?

 

Possibly Naive Question: Before @w154 goes crazy trying to find an original mushroom pusher. Is a decent set of replacement mushroom pushers a cardinal sin given the fact that these things are so vulnerable? Just asking.

 

So, apparently, we have two executions of this dial on this reference:

The 1st one (like the OP), with straight “compax” and "2", "10", “4” and “8” with small cut, that, from what I’ve seen, was released around 1945 (couldn’t find any with serial above 11xxxxx)


The 2nd one, with radial “compax” and "2", "10", “4” and “8” with big cut, that, from what I’ve seen, was released around 1950 (couldn’t find any with serial below 15xxxxx)