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

Hi,
last week I found a nice 36mm UG Compur in a www. flea market.
Condition seemed very well, seller was nice, so I picked it up.

Because I not know Universal Geneve chronographs very well, I did not recognize, that the first number in the reference suggests, that the case is chromed (in this case, I guess nickel-plated and chromed, only back and perhaps bezel should be steel).
Always thought, that only the Berthoud or UWECO have that kind of cases.

After I picked it up, I opened the caseback and saw the Universal Geneve 385, I guess.
But without "385" engraving.


The movement runs and it will get a service.

The lower pusher is a little bit sticky, but works.
My watchmaker told me, that it for sure is possible to re-chrome the pushers?!

Otherwise, the watch seems to be in good condition for its age.
Has some dial issues under the hand of the minute counter, but that's no problem for me.
The hands and dial have genuine radium lume (should I fix the lume of the hands from behind?).

Overall, I am very satisfied with the condition, but what would you do to wear it and prepare it for the collection?

Pics:

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best,
Peter

Nice catch!! 👏👏👏👏👏


I would do just a service and immediately on the wrist! 😍😍

I see the tendency...😉

Yes, just keep as is

Looks quite nice as is.

Re plating only the pushers will look out of place IMHO.

Mechanical service and leave everything as it is. A very nice find altogether.

O.k., seems like a clear statement.
So, the watch will get only a mechanical service.
Thanks at all for the help!

This 😲

Thanks for all the informations!
Very interesting news.
Have to find the differences between UG287 and 385.
Female spring bars on such watches were new to me.
I saw them on gold watches, but not on this chronographs.
At the first visit at my watchmaker, he told me, that there is no problem to get new spring bars for it, but he is no Universal Geneve expert.
So, good informations!

Found it in germany in a kind of www. fleamarket.
Price was reasonable.
It was a watch of an old watchmaker, who unfortunately died some years ago.
The niece sold the watch to me.
Saw the watch and it was love from the first moment.
Was surprised about the nice size, but did not realize, that it is no stainless steel.
Will treat it with care!

Thanks again to all.