Universal Geneve 22424 Aero Compax

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Does anyone know anything about this amazing looking massive Aero Compax ??!!

Even the archives pic is huge....
Edited:
 
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I agree that the case is very intriguing.

However, redial alarms ringing here. Fonts look off and over-inked. No ‘Swiss’ at 6 o’clock - is that allowed with Aero? Sub register edges look pretty soft. Why make such a large dial and barely utilise the space? Many questions on this one but that doesn’t mean it’s not amazing.
 
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I agree that the case is very intriguing.

However, redial alarms ringing here. Fonts look off and over-inked. No ‘Swiss’ at 6 o’clock - is that allowed with Aero? Sub register edges look pretty soft. Why make such a large dial and barely utilise the space? Many questions on this one but that doesn’t mean it’s not amazing.

I thought that UG archive photos cannot be redial, by definition. Or is this up for discussion, I can't remember?
 
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No (factory) Archives are not redials as far as I know. I have seen that watch appear for sale over the last few years. It went for massive money.
 
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So it was sent to the factory and redialed there? Looks to be of higher quality for a redial.

What are the possibilities of it being a prototype/otherwise non-commercial dial?
 
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I don't think it's a redial, and I believe there is general consensus that archives pics are original dial only
 
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I really cannot see any reason to doubt the dial. Sure it's a unique cliché given the size of the watch. Most possibly a military watch made in the mid 1940s with radial counters for added legibility. This example went for sale at auction many moons ago.. unfortunately I cannot remember the exact auction... just have this picture...

 
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I have a very weak spot for aeros and found this particular one very unusual indeed. There are very few about, all in the hands of aficionados ! I have held one of these. Price was astronomical but a true delight and very desirable piece. There are many characteristics on dial that are not aligned with the usual UG characteristics. However as always with UG there is an "exception to the rule". I am not surprised with the lack of Swiss, the round "3" (which is found on top dial on aeros), high contrast print and other features ringing alarm bells as they were common on late 30s early 40 references. I discussed this at length with an Italian collector and it is genuine early aero. A very rare one at that !

The 22524 is an oversize (smaller) version with a similar (not identical) dial ...
 
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I have a very weak spot for aeros and found this particular one very unusual indeed. There are very few about, all in the hands of aficionados ! I have held one of these. Price was astronomical but a true delight and very desirable piece. There are many characteristics on dial that are not aligned with the usual UG characteristics. However as always with UG there is an "exception to the rule". I am not surprised with the lack of Swiss, the round "3" (which is found on top dial on aeros), high contrast print and other features ringing alarm bells as they were common on late 30s early 40 references. I discussed this at length with an Italian collector and it is genuine early aero. A very rare one at that !

The 22524 is an oversize (smaller) version with a similar (not identical) dial ...
I think the one that sold in the past few years went for 60-70K ?
 
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Fantastic stuff, thanks for all the additional info and pics. 55mm, too big for my wrists!
 
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Probably worn over flight jacket sleeve ?

I remember reading that oversized pilot's watches were also sometimes strapped to the airman's thigh, which makes sense.

Tiny subdials, though... 😕
 
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Does anyone know anything about this amazing looking massive Aero Compax ??!!

Even the archives pic is huge....
I know about 22424 I have one ! it was my father's and now it's mine......look at the photos.

 
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Wow. Fantastic!!!
 
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I know about 22424 I have one ! it was my father's and now it's mine......look at the photos.

Amazing watch !! And a family watch on top of that! Thank you for sharing it here.