UG Tri-Compax 481101/02 - Gold case, white dial and gold/champagne subs

mazzman

Hi Everyone,

I'm new in the forum. By way of introduction, I've been into watches since I was a kid. Started diving in Florida and the Bahamas when I was 9 and when I was 12 I bought a used Tudor from a family friend. When I was 15 had enough saved for a non-datejust Rolex Sub, because diving. Also James Bond. I bought the Sub without the date function because I was told that it would keep more accurate time than the ones with the date. Heh. I became fascinated with Rolexes and then Omegas and so on.

This UG Tri-Compax is a watch my dad wore for a while when I was pretty young. It's been sitting in the back of a safe for 25 years and hadn't been worn for a number of years prior to that. I found one on a "Bring a Loupe" Hodinkee post from Oct. 16, 2015 that was for sale for $23,000! It's identical except that the bottom (hours) sub hand on mine is black, not red, and the moon-phase sub hand is red, exactly the opposite of the one in the Hodinkee piece. I haven't seen any like it other than that one.

The case mics out to a touch under 36mm and the watch runs great. Alligator strap by Concord. The gold subs are not smooth but have concentric circles, like ripples on a pond. Very cool.

There are no numbers on the exterior of the case at all. I read somewhere that the case back is "pop off". Is that something that is doable by an amateur like myself? Otherwise, I have a competent watch smith in the neighborhood. I have felt along the case back rim and can't feel a lip. I would like to have it opened and see what caliber / model # is. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

mazzman

There are no numbers on the exterior of the case at all. I read somewhere that the case back is "pop off". Is that something that is doable by an amateur like myself? Otherwise, I have a competent watch smith in the neighborhood. I have felt along the case back rim and can't feel a lip. I would like to have it opened and see what caliber / model # is. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

ELV web

This is the first time i see subdials turn yellowish for this reference

Lucas

You are correct. These are actually called 'forte pressione' cases (hard pressure) and contrary to common belief they are snapbacks, or better an evolution of snapbacks that is ultra tight, almost waterproof. These are almost always the case on these late 50's early 60s gold cases.

MOVEMENT should be a UG calibre 281.

The red handset is correct on the date subdial so no worries about that. At least that is my perception. Eg this datocompax:

It was born Yellow. It's not a tropical effect. Here is one for comparison:

http://davideparmegiani.ch/watches/universal-geneve-en/for-sale/3851/universal-geneve-Tricompax/

Congrats it's a fantastic piece!

Florent

LOVELY watch 😀 and great history also ! congrats on that piece 👍

billving

Great piece. Happily, I have the same one and my numbers were also polished at some point in it's life. I know of one other person with one and sadly his numbers are missing also. The piece above is the Hodinkee piece. It was flipped from the dealer that had it to the dealer above - and the new ask went up! Obviously it must be over priced relative to peoples perception of market price since it really is mint (numbers visible on this one) and yet it hasn't sold in over 2 years from two well known dealers.

As far as the date and chrono sub hands, your's is correct and matches mine and the other one that I know of. I told both dealers that in my opinion it was reversed by of course I was told that I was incorrect. It is not in Sala to my knowledge unless it's buried in the ads and I didn't see it, but it is pictured in Paul White's chrono book I believe.

Congrats on a rare and distinctive piece.

MaiLollo

It looks awesome, I'm not a gold watch guy but this one I could get away with

Larry S

NIce ..Have it serviced and have your watchmaker make a movement photo. I’d not put a knife blade to a gold case if you have not done it before.

mazzman

Hi Everyone,

I'm new in the forum. By way of introduction, I've been into watches since I was a kid. Started diving in Florida and the Bahamas when I was 9 and when I was 12 I bought a used Tudor from a family friend. When I was 15 had enough saved for a non-datejust Rolex Sub, because diving. Also James Bond. I bought the Sub without the date function because I was told that it would keep more accurate time than the ones with the date. Heh. I became fascinated with Rolexes and then Omegas and so on.