Universal Genève 1944 Dato Compax

D

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dfx

·Feb 19, 2017

I’m new to this forum, so hi to you all!

I found this watch:
http://www.chrono24.com/universalge...ompax-chronograph-stain--steel--id4945054.htm
which I find to be incredibly beautiful.

Still, I am not an expert on watches, in fact this would be the first watch I would ever buy, and I have no idea if the price is reasonable...
Also, it is a 32mm, so I am not really sure if it would look a bit small and weird? I have a rather small wrist for a guy, though.

Any comments?

Thanks😀

Dennis

 

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NT931

·Feb 19, 2017

Hi Dennis, welcome! Unless you have a really small wrist, 32mm is rather small, especially with a dial like that.

 

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jban

·Feb 19, 2017

I think the "mint" descriptive is used a bit too loosely with this watch. The seller does have great photographs to compensate tho.

Has anyone seen a UG movement that has hand inscribed information on it, ie. 17 jewel unadjusted, etc.?

I'm also asking this, not implying, when did logo signed crowns come into use? With most of the other brands that I've experienced it seems like the 1950's and forward.

Edited: Feb 19, 2017

 

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Oku

·Feb 19, 2017

I am not a Dato Compax expert, but I have concerns as I don't find any cal. number on the movement.

 

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LouS

·Feb 19, 2017·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

jban

Has anyone seen a UG movement that has hand inscribed information on it, ie. 17 jewel unadjusted, etc.?

Yes, UG and many other manufacturers. Typically, this hand etched information was added to movements for importation to the United States, and addresses information which determined the amount of import tax. Unsurprisingly, the markings are usually in favor of a lower tax - "unadjusted, etc."

Oku

I am not a Dato Compax expert, but I have concerns as I don't find any cal. number on the movement.

What's your concern? It can't be anything but a UG/Martel movement, marked or not.

 

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LouS

·Feb 19, 2017·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

This is what 32mm looks like on a 7.25 inch wrist. It takes some getting used to.

 

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Oku

·Feb 19, 2017

LouS

What's your concern? It can't be anything but a UG/Martel movement, marked or not.

Did UG use movements where the cal number is not on the movement?
As I said, I am not an expert but I haven't seen that before.

By the way: Nice Dato-Compax!

 

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LouS

·Feb 19, 2017·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

Yes. These movements are not like Valjoux or Lemania calibers, supplied to various producers. They are UG's own - actually Martel's, but at a time that UG had an exclusive relationship with them. They are the only movement that can fit the watch.

 

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Oku

·Feb 19, 2017

Yes I know that UG used Martel movements. But Martel also supplied Zenith with movements (146, 156 etc.).
That's why I was suspicious because Zenith usually had the number on the bridge and not on the plate like UG where it is missing here.

 

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LouS

·Feb 19, 2017·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

The movement of the watch in question is labeled Universal Geneve (although the US import code is gibberish as far as I can tell), and carries a UG serial number, blacked out in the image. There is precedent for UG movements to not carry a caliber number.

 

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Oku

·Feb 19, 2017

Ok, thanks for explanations. Since I am a member here, I got too suspicious. Seeing fakes and frankes everywhere.

 

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LouS

·Feb 19, 2017·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

D dfx

in fact this would be the first watch I would ever buy

Dennis, I am just now processing that this is your first watch. It's probably worth a little step back. Are you ready for vintage watch ownership? You get that these are neither as precise nor as robust as a modern quartz? Do you know a watchmaker? Not trying to patronize you, but you should know you are not getting in at the shallow end of the pool with this watch.

Oku

Ok, thanks for explanations. Since I am a member here, I got too suspicious. Seeing fakes and frankes everywhere.

That perspective has significant basis in reality, unfortunately.

 

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Oku

·Feb 19, 2017

Don't forget the addiction and the other watches that will come!🙄

 

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timjohn

·Feb 19, 2017

They're rare. Here's the movement on mine, which does have the calibre number..

 

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jban

·Feb 19, 2017

These are the exercises that make it good to read these boards. I'd like to one day add one more UG to my stable and getting an understanding of them isn't easy.

I would have dismissed a hand engraved movement like that on one of the big makers out of hand. The only time I have seen it is on smaller brands, usually upstart companies just post ww2.

 

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LouS

·Feb 19, 2017·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

I have a number of these engraved movements in the collection. I love 'em as they scare off a lot of bidders.

Here's just one that comes to mind easily - a Lemania cal 15TL - no upstart, and quite a respectable looking watch

 

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TexOmega

·Feb 19, 2017

Upstart only in the sense the Robot Watch Co was one a gillion small companies US GI's started after WWII with 100% gov backed loans.

Watch companies were just one category.

I've a Robot etched EP4.

 

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LouS

·Feb 19, 2017·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

Wondered about that. I assumed it was an american registered importer - now I know the context!

 

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TexOmega

·Feb 19, 2017

http://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/thread65842.html

 

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Mlafra

·Feb 20, 2017

I think the UG Datocompax of the OP is all good, except for the crown that should NOT be signed with the logo (that logo buy the way is WAY later than the 40s, or 50s or even 60s, it is at least late 70s if not 80s). Other than that it is a nice and all correct and rare Datocompax. Also priced kind of cheap IMHO. The reason it did not sell is that it is small, 32mm is not for the faint of heart, and it comes from a person with small wrist and that almost never wears above 36/37mm. But even for me 32mm is a bit small.... That being said if you can pull off this size it would allow you to buy great watches with amazing calibers and amazing history for a fraction of what they would otherwise cost for more "normal" sizes!