Uni-Compax incoming - calling all experts!

chicagowatch · Apr 29, 2020

Well, the deed is finally done. I've now taken the UG plunge. 😉

Just snagged this little 33mm guy on eBay today and wanted to open up a discussion about the originality of this piece. I hope some of our resident experts will weigh in, but to my admittedly amateur eyes, this looks to be in fairly all-original condition, including the strap. I'm gladly welcoming all feedback and opinions... thanks!

Uni-Compax ref. 22273
Universal Genève Cal. 283
Serial no. 1201xxx - dated to tail end of '45 or possibly early '46?

ELV web · Apr 29, 2020

I think the original case finish should be Matt-polish but seems this one has been polished to a shine?

I am basing this on similar case tricompax reference 22258 from the same period.

also the dial, everything looks okay except the “A” in Universal looks pointy which is a bit of a concern to me.

chicagowatch · Apr 29, 2020

ELV web
I think the original case finish should be Matt-polish but seems this one has been polished to a shine?

I am basing this on similar case tricompax reference 22258 from the same period.

also the dial, everything looks okay except the “A” in Universal looks pointy which is a bit of a concern to me.

Thanks for chiming in. That's an excellent note - it does seem rather polished/shiny, but is that explained by the difference in case style, i.e -78 vs. -73? Once I have it in-hand I'll have to take a closer look because you're right, it's certainly looking a bit different... nice catch.

Will have to get it under a loupe or macro lens once it arrives to inspect the signature too. Hopefully I can update with better shots for examination. 😁

killer67 · Apr 29, 2020

quick look: minute hand looks to be too short, chrono hand lacks "leaf" bottom, case would be brushed from factory and as mentioned, 'A" in "Geneva" would have a flat top

timjohn · Apr 29, 2020

Both hands look a little short. Intresting that so many of these shield logo dials -- and they seem to be more common on time-only watches than chronos -- don't seem to have an accent above the second E in Genève, but having said that UG dials are pretty random. It's a good-looking watch, congratulations

vujen · Apr 30, 2020

To my eyes this looks like a nice and honest watch, with a polished case and a wrong main chrono hand. Of course the left subdial hand is not correct too, but frankly it's not a bid deal.
Congrats!

killer67 · Apr 30, 2020

for $780 its a great deal despite the minor issues

DSOTM · Apr 30, 2020

K killer67
quick look: minute hand looks to be too short, chrono hand lacks "leaf" bottom, case would be brushed from factory and as mentioned, 'A" in "Geneva" would have a flat top

The dial looks fine to me, including the "A" which does seem to have a flat top.
The chrono hand is indeed wrong or a part of it is missing.

Nice catch, congrats!

Larry S · Apr 30, 2020

Great dial ..... hands can be corrected ... case is over polished ...

chicagowatch · Apr 30, 2020

Whoa, didn't expect this to get much attention, so thanks to all for the feedback. I appreciate it. 👍

I can't complain for the given price, but will have to mull over what's worth trying to track down/replace and see what the seller says. Since it's not a particularly big ticket item, I will probably keep and wear it as-is.

chicagowatch · Apr 30, 2020

The rabbit hole continues.

Digging through Sala I found an early Uni-Compax will an almost identical chrono sweep. Is it possible this is original to my watch as well, then?

Additionally, the archive shot has terrible lighting, but could the argument be made that the case was polished from the factory?

Screen Shot 2020-04-30 at 9.51.04 AM.png

Screen Shot 2020-04-30 at 9.51.28 AM.png

So many unknowns. Now I feel like there's more questions than answers. 😕😕😕😕

Larry S · Apr 30, 2020

chicagowatch
The rabbit hole continues.

Digging through Sala I found an early Uni-Compax will an almost identical chrono sweep. Is it possible this is original to my watch as well, then?

Additionally, the archive shot has terrible lighting, but could the argument be made that the case was polished from the factory?

So many unknowns. Now I feel like there's more questions than answers. 😕😕😕😕

The chrono hand in the Sala color plate is not the same IMO as the one on your watch. I have a 1960/61 Tri -Compax with the one in the Sala color plate. It seems to belong there, having resisted two attempts to replace it. These may have been UG service parts, later originals, its hard to say. I’ve seen them on other watches. At $780, the issues are priced in as well as the size.

chicagowatch · Apr 30, 2020

Larry S
The chrono hand in the Sala color plate is not the same IMO as the one on your watch. I have a 1960/61 Tri -Compax with the one in the Sala color plate. It seems to belong there, having resisted two attempts to replace it. These may have been UG service parts, later originals, its hard to say. I’ve seen them on other watches. At $780, the issues are priced in as well as the size.

Ah, yup - the counter-balance is shorter/thicker than the one in Sala. You're absolutely right. Service parts would be interesting, because they do seem to match the age/wear of the rest of the piece.

Guess the next order of business is trying to straighten out the hands situation. 😉

Overall, I can't complain for such a bargain of a find. C'est la vie!

Oku · Apr 30, 2020

Imho. the chrono hand in Sala is also wrong. It is way too short and doesn't touch the tachy scale.
In my eyes, the style of the chrono hand is later than 40ies. It should be one with a tear drop tail.

Concerning the polish, that wouldn't bother me too much. These cases are quite thick and the lugs don't have facets. So a skilled watchmaker can bring back the (original) brushing.

The strap seems to be old. What buckle does it have?

Larry S · Apr 30, 2020

Oku
Imho. the chrono hand in Sala is also wrong. It is way too short and doesn't touch the tachy scale.
In my eyes, the style of the chrono hand is later than 40ies. It should be one with a tear drop tail.

Concerning the polish, that wouldn't bother me too much. These cases are quite thick and the lugs don't have facets. So a skilled watchmaker can bring back the (original) brushing.

The strap seems to be old. What buckle does it have?

Good point ... Style is familiar however.

chicagowatch · Apr 30, 2020

Oku
Imho. the chrono hand in Sala is also wrong. It is way too short and doesn't touch the tachy scale.
In my eyes, the style of the chrono hand is later than 40ies. It should be one with a tear drop tail.

Concerning the polish, that wouldn't bother me too much. These cases are quite thick and the lugs don't have facets. So a skilled watchmaker can bring back the (original) brushing.

The strap seems to be old. What buckle does it have?

It looks most similar to the seconds hand found on the Polerouter. Regardless, I'm now certainly convinced it's not correct to the model.

Regarding the polish, are there any watchmakers recommended by the forum who I should reach out to? Would love to have an expert restore the correct brushing. 🥰 Unfortunately, the seller stated this watch is unpolished, and further research shows he's connected to other highly reputable dealers... more confusion ensues... bleh.

I don't have it yet - those are listing photos - but the description stated it's a Universal strap. Imagine if the correct buckle is also present!

killer67 · Apr 30, 2020

Buckle would be a big plus - these are the best buys. Keep us up to date

chicagowatch · May 1, 2020

Unfortunately the watch arrived non-functioning, and with that, all other points are lost. 🙁

Thankfully, the seller immediately and graciously accepted the return.

The hunt continues. Thanks to all who pitched in and lent their time/expertise.

Oku · May 1, 2020

chicagowatch
Unfortunately the watch arrived non-functioning, and with that, all other points are lost.

I don't get the rationale behind your statement. When buying a vintage watch, you always have to factor a service in. And this watch clearly needed a caring hand. So what changed the situation?
Before returning, I would have asked my watchmaker what's wrong with the watch.

Larry S · May 1, 2020

Good quality UG Chronographs are lovely, cool and expensive, They can be 80+ years old. They almost always require a service upon arrival* and generally frequent check ups. Parts are dear. They need to be worn gently on dry sunny days. The same applies to all elderly, complex watches.

I’d re-think your desire for one and your watch needs.

*Just because it was running when shipped, does not mean it will arrive that way. Vibration is a bitch.

Uni-Compax incoming - calling all experts!

chicagowatch

ELV web

chicagowatch

killer67

timjohn

vujen

killer67

DSOTM

Larry S

chicagowatch

chicagowatch

Larry S

chicagowatch

Oku

Larry S

chicagowatch

killer67

chicagowatch

Oku

Larry S

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