Does ANYBODY have a source for the insert on this rare UG Tricompax ? This maybe the most difficult restoration I have done in 40 years of collecting. Is it possible an Omega or Seiko insert could fit and or be modified ? Forum members PLEASE help me with this one ! ZERO HELP FROM FORUM MEMBERS ?
I'M DISAPPOINTED !

Talked to an older watch guy here in Houston, he is actually from Switzerland, is the UG service person in US. He has a lot of connects in Switzerland, let's see what he can do !

 

Pictures?

 

Pics

 

Does this not take the Speedmaster DON?

 

Way too big

 

I presume you mean a bezel for the Tri-Compax moon 1960s ? Bezels, hands and dials are extremely rare and would go as far as no longer available unless a watch is broken up for spares. The last bezel for a tri-compax moon I came across was back in 2011 from a chap in France. It sold within 5 minutes and i wont even bother mentioning what it went for. You would have better luck finding the golden fleece. I hear it is possible to modify an Omega bezel to fit but i have never seen one.

BTW, i think the dial on that tri has serious issues and so do hands.

 

I don't have a lot in the watch, Lou and others feel the dial and hands are fine, I have found internet pictures with some dials with no lume, it could be an old franken, I've probably had the watch for at least 10 years. Only worried about the bezel at this point !

 

My watchmaker said that it's possible about modifying a Speedy bezel to make it fit as he's done it beore, but he said it's a really big job. The 1960s UG has DON bezel as well, so it'll cost you quite some money if you were to use a DON Speedy bezel.

 

I am surprised you have had the thumbs up on the dial. From what I can see of it, it is not right at all (indexes, registers, dots and the fonts). Hands are also a bit of a minestrone but hour and minute as well as some registers are not UG or anything to do with that reference.

 

I've owned the watch for at least 10 years, no conspiracy theories here, you can make whatever observations you want, just would like to get the watch in descent shape to wear it, not trying to make a Franken, just love UG Tricompax, this is my only 1960s one ! I currently own 7 Tricompax, my UG collection is over 20, most of them are 100 percent original. This does not mean that this particular watch is trash IMHO ! Why are forum members so critical, this is my hobby,
I just have fun and like to wear vintage watches, some are mint, some are not !
I can't afford to pay 20000 for a mint ERIC CLAPTON ! I still can enjoy this example if I fix the bezel. I've collected for 40 years, I think I understand the concepts of originality, franken, and fake when it comes to vintage watches ! I do value members opinions, but positive attitudes will get you a lot futhur in this world ! Is there something wrong with watch RESTORATION ???

 

Apologies if I did not come across as supportive of your project. the watch is what it is ...

If you want to make an acceptable job out of it, have it lumed and find a watchmaker that can put your hands right (you can machine or laser a slit) and make a bezel for you. Does the case back have a reference number ? I would love to see the finished product ...

 

Thanks for member support, does anybody have a guy that can lume the indexes on the dial ? Im in Houston, Tx ?

 

Didn't we discuss that watch some months ago? https://omegaforums.net/threads/ug-tricompax-project.60537/

However, concerning the lume, some non-luminous Claptons existed:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/clapton-spot-the-issues.41268/
Therefore, I would not get it lumed.

 

Thanks for the non lumed dial Eric Clapton pictures, hands look the same as mine too !

 

Again, I'm at the bezel insert problem, maybe I'll try to find DONOR omega bezel ?

 

You probably don’t need a DON for this watch right, what about just a modern speedy bezel or whatever you can get cheap?

 

The Tri Compax case diameter is 36mm vs the modern Speedy which is 42mm. Don’t think the bezel inserts are easily interchangeable.

 

FWIW, I thinks that’s a delightful looking piece and I’d be proud to wear that...

 

Thanks for your member support !

 

maybe this can help.
https://www.ebay.it/itm/Bezel-Inser...randed/Generic&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network