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Universal Geneve Oversized Dato-Compax

slique12
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Hi all,

I recently picked up an oversized 37.5mm Dato-Compax (thanks @bgrisso for the support and @Florent for the help to authenticate) and have been quite pleased with it. The case is super sharp and while the patina is on the heavier side I personally quite like it and think it gives the watch a certain toughness and character befitting the design and size. That being said, I wouldn't mind finding a nicer dial down the road but do realize that is quite unlikely.

Anyway, I've been slowly digging online on the Dato-Compax references and haven't found many examples in general and almost none in this larger size. I read somewhere that the Dato-Compax did not sell well when it was released, likely due to the popularity of the Angelus Chronodato that was released in the same year and the Tri-Compax that was released a year or two later offering more complications for not a lot more money.

Either way, I'm quite fascinated by the scarcity of these and was wondering if folks could share their examples and any other information they might have picked up over the years. The serial on my watch puts it down as 1941-1942 which I believe makes it a very early example.

IMG_1932.jpg IMG_1935.jpg IMG_2042.JPG
Edited:
 
airansun
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It is wonderful, but I’m sorry, I can’t resist:

Is it contagious?
 
chronoboy64
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clearly dot over 90 😁
nice catch, huge congrats and wear in good health 👍
 
slique12
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airansun airansun
I thought it looked like the measles.
Lol that is one way to put it. How about pepper patina😜
 
Larry S
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Dato was replaced quickly by our beloved Tri ... Not many around. Weirdly lovely wabi sabi. Congrats!
 
bgrisso
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love this watch, bet its even nicer in person ! I kinda like the patina also, and the case is great. I've never had a dato, so don't know a lot about these....
 
Woops
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That’s a beauty - congratulations!

Interesting theory too about the Angelus potentially stealing some of the Dato’s market share in the 40s. Even today one often sees the odd rogue Chronodato sitting in UG-centric collections - the crossover appeal is still clearly alive and well.
 
rolokr
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I got the small version, I like it even though it's a only 33 mm !
 
20181126_164727.jpg
Diabolik
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Beautiful early example of UGs superior quality and innovation. The patina adds to the character of the watch. Still perfectly visible. I recall seeing that particular watch a while back. A pretty rare reference 😀 !
 
Mlafra
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Nice catch and wear it in good health.
Dato-Compaxes are indeed rare and you nailed the reason why. I would say of the 2 factors you listed (Chrono-Dato from Angelus being around and introduction of UG own Tr-Compax only after 1-2 years) the own " cannibalization" is the stronger. The price was apparently pretty similar and the extra complications, not to mention that overall rarity a prat I would say the Tri-Compax is generally more beautiful and for sure available in more styles and dial/case variations, make the Dato-Compax a pretty poor seller indeed. All the better for the few surviving few today in good conditions and with original dial! The only big-cased I ever came across all have the same style of case as yours.
 
slique12
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bgrisso bgrisso
love this watch, bet its even nicer in person !
Funny enough that was my reaction when I first received it. In pictures the patina appears a lot harsher than it actually is.
Woops Woops
Even today one often sees the odd rogue Chronodato sitting in UG-centric collections - the crossover appeal is still clearly alive and well.
That is a keen observation, did not realize that.
timjohn timjohn
Nice find. Here’s my 33mm version.
Universal Geneve Dato-Compax 3.JPG
Lovely example!
Mlafra Mlafra
Nice catch and wear it in good health.
Dato-Compaxes are indeed rare and you nailed the reason why. I would say of the 2 factors you listed (Chrono-Dato from Angelus being around and introduction of UG own Tr-Compax only after 1-2 years) the own " cannibalization" is the stronger. The price was apparently pretty similar and the extra complications, not to mention that overall rarity a prat I would say the Tri-Compax is generally more beautiful and for sure available in more styles and dial/case variations, make the Dato-Compax a pretty poor seller indeed. All the better for the few surviving few today in good conditions and with original dial! The only big-cased I ever came across all have the same style of case as yours.
To be honest, I think I read this explanation in one of your posts from a few years ago so thanks for giving us such good insight into these pieces😀 I have searched online using my case ref number and so far found only 3 oversized examples, will post them in some time.
 
slique12
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I've found less than 10 oversized ss examples of the Dato-Compax, mostly in old auction catalogues but also some on instagram.

An interesting observation is that whenever the serial number was available it always started with 877xxx which means they were produced in a tight range between 1941-1942. This is also the launch year of the Dato-Compax. The sample size is too small of course but I wonder if UG made these oversized versions only for the first year...

Screen Shot 2019-02-22 at 9.48.37 AM.png Screen Shot 2019-02-22 at 9.48.03 AM.png Screen Shot 2019-02-22 at 9.49.48 AM.png Screen Shot 2019-02-23 at 3.19.58 PM.png Screen Shot 2019-02-23 at 3.22.05 PM.png
 
Tempus
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854
slique12 slique12
Hi all,

I recently picked up an oversized 37.5mm Dato-Compax (thanks @bgrisso for the support and @Florent for the help to authenticate) and have been quite pleased with it. The case is super sharp and while the patina is on the heavier side I personally quite like it and think it gives the watch a certain toughness and character befitting the design and size. That being said, I wouldn't mind finding a nicer dial down the road but do realize that is quite unlikely.

Anyway, I've been slowly digging online on the Dato-Compax references and haven't found many examples in general and almost none in this larger size. I read somewhere that the Dato-Compax did not sell well when it was released, likely due to the popularity of the Angelus Chronodato that was released in the same year and the Tri-Compax that was released a year or two later offering more complications for not a lot more money.

Either way, I'm quite fascinated by the scarcity of these and was wondering if folks could share their examples and any other information they might have picked up over the years. The serial on my watch puts it down as 1941-1942 which I believe makes it a very early example.

IMG_1932.jpg IMG_1935.jpg IMG_2042.JPG


Wow, really sharp case and I like the patina.
 
wouter van wijk
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843
really cool watch. i like the patina on the dial. would you opt to preserve it in this state?
 
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