Especially in the last few years, almost all clean-looking UG chronographs I've seen for sale are consolidated examples (case/dial/hands from different sources). I enjoy finding unmolested, all-original watches, but there's nothing wrong with people who don't mind incorrect parts, redials, refinished case, etc. as long they are aware of those things before purchasing. It only becomes problematic when these mods are done to viciously gouge potential buyers. I've heard from multiple sources that there are people buying up rare parts, so it's not a good time for UG collecting - each watch needs careful and thoughtful examination. Even the other Spillmann example mentioned in the Hodinkee article has a period incorrect dial (40's case/50's dial). This is nothing new. This has been happening in vintage Rolexes for many, many years.
Especially in the last few years, almost all clean-looking UG chronographs I've seen for sale are consolidated examples (case/dial/hands from different sources). I enjoy finding unmolested, all-original watches, but there's nothing wrong with people who don't mind incorrect parts, redials, refinished case, etc. as long they are aware of those things before purchasing. It only becomes problematic when these mods are done to viciously gouge potential buyers. I've heard from multiple sources that there are people buying up rare parts, so it's not a good time for UG collecting - each watch needs careful and thoughtful examination. Even the other Spillmann example mentioned in the Hodinkee article has a period incorrect dial (40's case/50's dial). This is nothing new. This has been happening in vintage Rolexes for many, many years.
Something is still unclear for me ... the timeline ... between the dial on chrono24 and the watch being sold even before it was put on the manta's website... something very strange here but if the watch was assembled and sold so early ... how can the same dial be for sale on CR24 at the same time ...
I can see only one option to explain this ...[/QUO
Reputation is too volatile. Probably I'm not the only one remembering the strange Polerouter Sub that Menta sold few months ago. I don't know if the Polerouter Sub is original or a mixture of spare pieces like this Compax. But I have my own opinion.
Universal Geneve no longer exists and it is a relatively unstudied brand, comparing with Rolex or Omega. My opinion is clear.
Unless you use the Chrono24 checkout service, which only a few sellers use, everything about the ad is controlled by the seller. Plenty of times sellers are very very slow to remove items or mark them as sold. I have seen items claiming to be available long after a seller has responded to a direct inquiry telling me the item is unavailable. I would say that either the seller had multiple dials or was just slow to remove the item or maybe marked it as removed once it popped back up in a watch.
Looks like Hodinkee is not doing his homework and spreading the wrong news ...
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/bring-a-loupe-february-17-2017
Just in case is mysteriously disappears ...
Notable Sale Of The Past Week:
Universal Genève Compax With Prototype Dial Bringing More Than $50,000
7 OF 8
This is the second reference 22410 featured today, and has one of the most striking dials you will ever see. This futuristic dial has also appeared on references 12251 and 12392. There is some debate as to whether the dial can be found on more tool-watch cases, like the 38mm waterproof 22410, but it is now accepted that two versions of this dial exist. Nonetheless, it was promptly snapped up when the dealer MentaWatches offered it for sale at around $50,000.
8 OF 8
The whole Compax thing got really interesting when members of the Omega Forum, a few hours later, spotted another of those dials for sale at "just" $2,500. Needless to say, it was gone in seconds, and one can only wonder when and where it will resurface.
But he did do his homework. Westphalen found this thread, and his post is what drew a lot of people to it. He just posted before it became clear that it was the same dial.
No question about that but they had enough time now to update the article with the new information.
