UG tri-compax 12268

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Hello everyone, this is my first time here on this forum. I was told that this was the place that I should come for information. I’m looking for recommendations of a reputable place to bring my UG tri-compax to be serviced and replace the crystal. It also stopped working a while ago, I thought that I “overwound” it, but I was told on Reddit that it most likely was gummed up with dried lubricants or possibly broken. Through some research I’ve discovered that there is a building in San Francisco with several watchmakers in it near Union Square, which one would you recommend?

 
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Welcome......I'd want a watchmaker experienced with vintage watches and especially experienced with UG chronographs.
 
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if you provide us with an approximate location, we might be able to direct you to someone local. It’s better than shipping these old birds. Budget at least 600-1000 usd for a service and new crystal.
 
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if you provide us with an approximate location, we might be able to direct you to someone local. It’s better than shipping these old birds. Budget at least 600-1000 usd for a service and new crystal.
I’m about 90 miles east of San Francisco, so that’s pretty close. I’ll be over that way tomorrow.
 
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I'm in the north bay and I've never used anyone local to service UG, I send stuff in the mail. I know the building you are talking about, but I'm not sure if there are people there qualified to work on a Tri. You could search the entire bay area (IIRC there are two main places that come up for vintage service, one in the south bay I think, can't remember where the other one was located).

Anyhow I think you will have better luck researching on the internet and phone, than with your feet. Although if you are going anyways, there's no harm in asking around I suppose, and getting a quote. But I would want to know how many Tri they have serviced and when was the last one.

Side note, your Tri is beautiful, but I think one or both hour/minute hands are wrong? (I can't tell if that leaf hour hand might be stock, it looks a bit odd and I would expect dauhphine, see below) It would look much better with correct hands, and a new crystal.

A quick search for 12268 shows both leaf hands (early case serial) and dauhphine hands (late serial, close to yours), I assume dauphine would be correct. Not sure how easy it is to get a set of correct hands for a cal 481, but I would search and have them swapped at the time of service if you can find something. Even leaf hands would look better than the current mismatch IMO.

good luck, it's a lovely Tri !

This one is serial 1129206, much earlier than yours....

This one is serial 1410739, closer to yours, also with the faceless moon, and I think a good reference for what yours should be....
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My go to is MJ Watch Service in Glenview Il. They have serviced my collection for years. UG, Longines, Mido, Rolex, Eterna, Omega …..Very good with UG … my second recco is RGM Watch Co in Mt Joy Pa. They will be more expensive than MJ but they also are good with UG. While Alex who runs MJ says that the UG chrono movement is a straight forward job, easy to work on, beware watchmakers who have no experience. Both of these can fabricate, with the edge to RGM because they also make fine watches with in house movements. Both accept shipments. +1 re hands …. If you find a set have seller guaranty that they fit your movement. No non returnable BS. Yes ..I’ve been stung several times.
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My go to is MJ Watch Service in Glenview Il. They have serviced my collection for years. UG, Longines, Mido, Rolex, Eterna, Omega …..Very good with UG … my second recco is RGM Watch Co in Mt Joy Pa. They will be more expensive than MJ but they also are good with UG. While Alex who runs MJ says that the UG chrono movement is a straight forward job, easy to work on, beware watchmakers who have no experience. Both of these can fabricate, with the edge to RGM because they also make fine watches with in house movements. Both accept shipments. +1 re hands …. If you find a set have seller guaranty that they fit your movement. No non returnable BS. Yes ..I’ve been stung several times.
whats a base service with MJ, no parts needed?
 
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whats a base service with MJ, no parts needed?
$5-600 .. that’s for a full service and testing. Parts extra. RGM is higher.