Community Stories

Universal Genève Compax Ref. 7038

W
Posts
5
Likes
1
Hello everyone! I'm a new member to the forum and an admirer of Universal Genève. I'm hoping to make my first purchase and could really use the community's expertise.

I took this picture of this magnificent Universal Genève Compax Ref. 7038 Cal. 281 with 30mm case in rosé gold which I'm planning to purchase. The price is $4,000.

It would be super nice if the experts here could share their opinion about this watch's condition, the dial, and if the $4,000 price point seems fair for this specific reference and metal.

PXL_20250927_113821609~2.webp
 
vujen
Posts
1,040
Likes
3,777
Badly reprinted dial, very polished case. I can't say it is "magnificent" unfortunately. Avoid.
 
W
Posts
5
Likes
1
vujen vujen
Badly reprinted dial, very polished case. I can't say it is "magnificent" unfortunately. Avoid.
Oh, not the answer I expected. I was really intrigued by the size and overall look of this watch. Obviously and sadly, I don't have the expertise to distinguish a good dial from a 'badly reprinted' one. Thank you very much for taking the time to look at the photo and for the clear verdict.
 
Porteroso
Posts
711
Likes
2,116
W wklopf
Oh, not the answer I expected. I was really intrigued by the size and overall look of this watch. Obviously and sadly, I don't have the expertise to distinguish a good dial from a 'badly reprinted' one. Thank you very much for taking the time to look at the photo and for the clear verdict.
It's good for you to check! Very few people have the expertise to tell these things. They are not judged by how the print looks, but how close to the original it is. Some of these guys have handled many, many Universal Geneves, and can tell pretty quickly.
 
bgrisso
Posts
3,468
Likes
8,060
Glad you checked first, as @vujen already said, this is an absolute avoid unless it was at or below melt cost, assuming it's a solid gold case. Aside from the redial all the hands are wrong. And at 30mm it's very small.
 
Mark020
Posts
6,256
Likes
9,813
Just curious - how did you decide that 4k is a fair price point?
 
W
Posts
5
Likes
1
Mark020 Mark020
Just curious - how did you decide that 4k is a fair price point?
I didn’t decide the price myself. I just trusted that a well-regarded vintage watch dealer would know what’s fair.
 
W
Posts
5
Likes
1
bgrisso bgrisso
Glad you checked first, as @vujen already said, this is an absolute avoid unless it was at or below melt cost, assuming it's a solid gold case. Aside from the redial all the hands are wrong. And at 30mm it's very small.
I had my own doubts about the watch hands, and the dealer didn’t sound entirely confident when he said they were correct for this model. That slight uncertainty prompted me to consult the experts here in the forum.
 
W
Posts
5
Likes
1
W wklopf
I didn’t decide the price myself. I just trusted that a well-regarded vintage watch dealer would know what’s fair.
And the dealer stood his ground and didn’t even consider lowering the price when I asked.
 
Mark020
Posts
6,256
Likes
9,813
W wklopf
I just trusted that a well-regarded vintage watch dealer would know what’s fair.
That's like asking your barber whether you need a haircut...
 
Porteroso
Posts
711
Likes
2,116
W wklopf
And the dealer stood his ground and didn’t even consider lowering the price when I asked.
Selling watches can be considered a specialty. Valuing them, and determining originality, is a completely different specialty.
 
Modest_Proposal
Posts
2,958
Likes
6,308
Beyond what has been said about the case and dial, the hands - or at least a number of them are not original either. (certainly the subseconds and minute counters are not original)

Just a watch to be avoided.
 
BlackTalon
Posts
5,489
Likes
9,391
W wklopf
I didn’t decide the price myself. I just trusted that a well-regarded vintage watch dealer would know what’s fair.
They do, in fact, know what is fair. And then they charge 50-100% above that amount.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Charles sanders

Universal Geneve compax. Opinions

Charles sanders Universal Genève Watches
southtexas
southtexas
Posts
33
Views
1K
vujen

Universal Geneve Compax 22522

vujen Private Watch Sales
vujen
vujen
Posts
2
Views
1K
S

Universal Genève Medico-Compax Ref.12445 (18K Pink Gold) - Thoughts on Dial and Configuration?

SsipaC Universal Genève Watches
bgrisso
bgrisso
Posts
46
Views
3K
K

Universal Geneve Compur chronograph from 40s. What would you replace/re-chrome?

KP-99 Universal Genève Watches
Porteroso
Porteroso
Posts
14
Views
987
Mr Joshua

Here the second Universal Genève Compax I am considering

Mr Joshua Universal Genève Watches
Larry S
Larry S
Posts
3
Views
850
iChristos

Universal Geneve Compax ref: 384.445

iChristos Private Watch Sales
iChristos
iChristos
Posts
2
Views
6K