UG Tri-Compax 22536 - Thoughts?

pnw98406 · Nov 12, 2024

I'm new to watch collecting but pretty soon came to admire the UG Tri-Compax. I took a gamble and purchased this one, receiving it today. I'm pleased with it but wonder what folks more experienced in this watch think about the state of it and perhaps what a ballpark fair market value might be. It was recently serviced and functions well. Just because I think it's interesting to share, the seller, a retired Navy veteran from Maryland, told me he purchased it from the estate of Colonel Charles Read Madary, the public information officer for General Eisenhower in WWII. The family told the seller that it was purchased during the war and worn in service. The first three photos are mine, the other two are from the seller, the last from when he had it serviced. Anything folks have to share is welcome. Thanks all.

CaptainWinsor · Nov 12, 2024

The experts here will definitely let you know but the dial may have been redone

bgrisso · Nov 12, 2024

Yes this is an obvious redial which unfortunately has a major impact on value. The running seconds hand looks wrong. Anyhow unless you got it super cheap, I would try to return it if you can.

pnw98406 · Nov 13, 2024

Oh bummer. What would be considered super cheap out of curiosity?

bgrisso · Nov 13, 2024

P pnw98406
Oh bummer. What would be considered super cheap out of curiosity?

I was going to say less than the parts value of the case and movement, but then I looked more closely at the service pic and realized the case has serious problems. You have metal missing under both pushers, and it looks like that closest lug is maybe pulling away from the case as well? Was metal added back under the pushers as part of the service, because I can't see the gaps in the side profile pic?

Anyhow super cheap would be way less than what you paid, whatever that was. And if you paid anything close to retail on this, I would try to get your money back ASAP. Given the serious condition issues with the redial and the case, there is little to no value to collectors. If the seller and yourself are both inexperienced and did not know any better about how to properly value this watch, perhaps you can try to appeal to their better nature and work out a return or a significant refund, if they wont take it back.

TexOmega · Nov 13, 2024

P pnw98406
I'm new to watch collecting but pretty soon came to admire the UG Tri-Compax. I took a gamble and purchased this one, receiving it today. I'm pleased with it but wonder what folks more experienced in this watch think about the state of it and perhaps what a ballpark fair market value might be. It was recently serviced and functions well. Just because I think it's interesting to share, the seller, a retired Navy veteran from Maryland, told me he purchased it from the estate of Colonel Charles Read Madary, the public information officer for General Eisenhower in WWII. The family told the seller that it was purchased during the war and worn in service. The first three photos are mine, the other two are from the seller, the last from when he had it serviced. Anything folks have to share is welcome. Thanks all.

Unless you received notarized documents with that family story, with pictures of that watch on that wrist, sellers can say anything.

Lessons learned early in your collecting saga will serve you well.

CaptainWinsor · Nov 13, 2024

bgrisso
I was going to say less than the parts value of the case and movement, but then I looked more closely at the service pic and realized the case has serious problems. You have metal missing under both pushers, and it looks like that closest lug is maybe pulling away from the case as well? Was metal added back under the pushers as part of the service, because I can't see the gaps in the side profile pic?

Anyhow super cheap would be way less than what you paid, whatever that was. And if you paid anything close to retail on this, I would try to get your money back ASAP. Given the serious condition issues with the redial and the case, there is little to no value to collectors. If the seller and yourself are both inexperienced and did not know any better about how to properly value this watch, perhaps you can try to appeal to their better nature and work out a return or a significant refund, if they wont take it back.

You’re spot on. Looks like some metal was added right here

Larry S · Nov 13, 2024

To add a bit more detail on the issues with this watch…
Fonts and spacing of the tachy scale are incorrect.
Print quality is poor.
Case is poor with issues as pointed out.
Moon is a plus … Original and in good shape.
Save the running second hand, the others are correct.

As suggested, try to get your money back and please, do some more reading here and by all means ask informed questions before buying. We are happy to answer those. There are no longer any bargains with UG. This is especially true now since Breitling is reviving the brand. The good to excellent stuff is either expensive when they do come to market or in collections. If you cannot return it, well, noob tax paid. We’ve all been there. Many of us have posted “I just bought this” and received not so good news in our early days.. If you still like it, wear and enjoy. It’s not collector grade but it could still work as a daily wear piece. Its not bad looking.

pnw98406 · Nov 23, 2024

Well all’s well that ends well. I was able to return the watch for a full refund. I definitely should have followed my normal practice and sought advice before buying the watch. Beware making the late night lowball offer, it just might get accepted! Thanks everyone. I’m going to bide my time in getting a nice Tri-Compax, and expect to pay an appropriate price for it.

UG Tri-Compax 22536 - Thoughts?

pnw98406

CaptainWinsor

bgrisso

pnw98406

bgrisso

TexOmega

CaptainWinsor

Larry S

pnw98406

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