Although UG is famous for its complicated chronographs they also maintained a range of simpler chronographs under the name of Uni-Compax. Credit : LouS Launched in 1936, succeding to the Compur, the Uni-Compax offer the simplest chronograph layout with 2 registers including a 45mn couter. They're in general powered by the in-house 285 Caliber; a 14 lignes movement with a thickness of 6,05mm for the Uni-Compax. As often with UG, the range is declined with many cases/dials/hands variations, some examples : Here's the Uni-Compax positionning when the full UG chronographs range we know was offered to the market Some pictures of a Uni-Compax owned by a friend, from the 40s I believe Somewhere in the early 60s, UG launched a new Uni-Compax powered by a Valjoux 23 (with a 125 signed bridge) Applied logo, whooping hands, over-sized counter (which is the reason why some collectors nicknammed it "Big Eye") make the watch Case is 37 mm perfect for my wrist in 3 words, I love it ! A friend of mine recently acquired the alternate version in the "reverse Panda" dial configuration credit : Alain2701 a good reason to make the trip to join each others for a shooting session Thanks for reading so far, Cheers, Laurent
So let me get this equation straight.... two register chrono + black dial w/ white registers or panda versions available + 37/38 mm = potential $$$$ coming out of my wallet soon.
Nice equation although I think it'd deserve a X to be added, X being a time factor allowing to source one Only seen 3 correct advertised these last 3 years (including 2 posted here), seems UG did not produced them massively
My brother-in-law has an Uni-Compax in solid rose gold. Came from his father. Has box, papers, original (but frayed) band and gold-plated signed buckle. I've been telling him for years to get it serviced and wear it, but he refuses D- I guess we'll to start calling you Captain Ahab, gatorcpa
Beautiful post, Laurent. Is your friend's Big Eye from Ebay that we discussed a few months ago? The one the inept seller ended up selling to someone else by mistake (thinking it was me) after he and I had agreed on terms? Oh well, some small consolation it went to someone who can appreciate it.
Thank you for your kind words, Denis, I've checked the diameter, 38 Lou, thought your sad story was with a black dial big eye, I think the white owned by my friend has been caught on Ebay some weeks ago, But you're right, my friend confessed a terrible addiction for this watch from the day I showed it to him, he pulled the trigger in a flesh
I have a nice Uni-Compax being serviced at the moment -- I'll post pictures when I get it back. Great pictures.
Do you know what year Univeral Geneve started producing the uni compax model that does not carry the uni compax marking on the face? Or is this a copy?
Wretched redial. Avoid. There are uni-compaxes/compurs without without the model designation, but most of these are branded something other than UG. For example, Girrard Perregaux and Jaeger chronographs often do not have the model name on the dial.