Community Stories

Universal Geneve Watches On Ebay

Frenkling
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D DrRoadrash
New to the forums! I’ve been on Watchuseek for a while and collecting vintage watches for years. Since there isn’t a dedicated UG forum there, I hopped over here to check things out.

I recently picked up a Polerouter Jet off eBay. The listing had pretty terrible photos, but after some research and extra questions to the seller, I was able to confirm that the dial, case, and movement were all correct—despite the model number being completely polished off the caseback. It took some effort, but I felt confident enough to take the plunge. (I know the crown is probably not original)

We’ll see what it looks like when it arrives, but I managed to get it for around $700, which I thought was a good deal. I had pretty much given up on finding any Polerouter for under $1,000 in reasonable condition without rotor marks on the caseback.

Thanks so much to @CafeRacer for the definitive website. It looks to be ref 20364-2 and has a pretty hefty gold cap (reportedly 300 micron) so should be intact. I have not seen a similar reference around. Last photo is the reference 20364-2 off the website.

Interested to hear the forums thoughts no matter how you come down on it.

1747962082765.webp 1747962002310.webp 1747961118329.webp 1747962921895.webp

A rare reference and configuration definitely worth sharing. Now it just needs the right crown to be ready to rock
 
Mark020
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The UG world has really taken strange turns.... Ref 22445: absolutely attractive watch, nice size, gilt dial, last 3 digits on case but no round pushers and no screwback. A similar 22409 (RLM), which does have round pushers and screwback can be found for (say) 10k but Menta is asking USD 23,5k for this one: https://mentawatches.com/product/universal-geneve-gilt-black-dial-compur/

VINTAGE-40.webp VINTAGE-43.webp VINTAGE-44.webp


But he is not the only one: asking EUR 29,8k https://romainrea.com/en-eu/products/universal-geneva-compur-31
UG_COMPUR-1.webp

Or this 22518 for EUR 25k... https://romainrea.com/en-eu/products/universal-geneve-compur-2
p_3_2_0_9_3209-UNIVERSAL-GENEVE.webp p_3_2_0_6_3206-UNIVERSAL-GENEVE (1).webp
Edited:
 
Mark020
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Probably not 😉
 
martinc
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mttmzz mttmzz
https://ebay.us/m/5rXDiX

Interesting one. From Buenos Aires.

IMG_6798.webp IMG_6799.webp
That’s a fourth known Contax with 587xxx serial.
Interesting case and cool double signed dial (a little tired).
I have doubts about originality of the movement, would need to see the other side. I think all other known Contaxes have brass (yellow) movements.
 
Mark020
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Indeed. Don't think it will be a contax movement
 
vujen
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You are right, movement was swapped with a "normal" one.
what a pity!
This is how this watch looked when a contact I have in Argentina offered it to me, last November.
I didn't buy it because of dial condition.

f8fc2052-0e53-4b32-9f2e-fa4a363e4f27.webp 924299db-bd92-4c1d-80a1-006851f70ce8.webp
 
jumpingsecond
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vujen vujen
You are right, movement was swapped with a "normal" one.
what a pity!
This is how this watch looked when a contact I have in Argentina offered it to me, last November.
I didn't buy it because of dial condition.

f8fc2052-0e53-4b32-9f2e-fa4a363e4f27.webp 924299db-bd92-4c1d-80a1-006851f70ce8.webp
This has been reposted after the initial sale.. looks like hivemind here helped another enthusiast in his decision 😊
 
fizz
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601
banders banders
Not familiar with the site this watch is listed on but looks like a nice example (22258)

Missing movement/caseback pics

link

instagram post of same watch

OF post of what seems to be the same watch
1747890979426.webp 1747890993901.webp 1747891005597.webp 1747891014240.webp 1747891022509.webp
It's a rather lovely looking piece (and the radical photography and pics have made it look even more appealing!) but the seller hasn't indicated that the dial is, based on consensus formed here on OF) a "period correct" replacement dial since it has no hyphen between Tri and Compax. I missed this while looking at the pics and only realised this when reading the previous sellers more elaborate description where this is stated (thanks for the link!). The price is also a bit bonkers for what it is (about 12,500 USD equivalent).
 
fizz
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Mark020 Mark020
The UG world has really taken strange turns.... Ref 22445: absolutely attractive watch, nice size, gilt dial, last 3 digits on case but no round pushers and no screwback. A similar 22409 (RLM), which does have round pushers and screwback can be found for (say) 10k but Menta is asking USD 23,5k for this one: https://mentawatches.com/product/universal-geneve-gilt-black-dial-compur/

VINTAGE-40.webp VINTAGE-43.webp VINTAGE-44.webp


But he is not the only one: asking EUR 29,8k https://romainrea.com/en-eu/products/universal-geneva-compur-31
UG_COMPUR-1.webp

Or this 22518 for EUR 25k... https://romainrea.com/en-eu/products/universal-geneve-compur-2
p_3_2_0_9_3209-UNIVERSAL-GENEVE.webp p_3_2_0_6_3206-UNIVERSAL-GENEVE (1).webp
Or how about this similar Compur (22517) with an even more stunning dial that listed for USD 18750 on Oliver and Clarke (full listing here) and sold shortly thereafter....great piece but bonkers pricing (which doesn't stop anyone from snapping these up).

22517.webp
 
fizz
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This rather insanely gorgeous looking 22258 (another one!) just sold a few hours ago for about USD 16k.

Universal_Geneve_22250_Tri_Compax_1940s_05.06.25__1042_5.webp

Full listing here. The watch sold in a few minutes after being teased for a few days on their IG.

It was listed as NOS and looks the part with the partial sticker on the caseback.

But the dial, as striking as it is, has the non-hyphen Tri-Compax that has largely been considered (in these pages at least) as service replacements.

But how could that be if this is purportedly untouched? I know some have debunked this considerations and having now seen a few without hyphen from the same reference, I am not so sure anyone can be sure. Even the Sala book has a few samples of the Tri, without the hyphen that aren't called out as anything service related.

Would love the views of the experts here.
 
Diabolik
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I was following that very closely and made an offer.

Yes, quite right, the dial is an early 60s service replacement and in mint condition. Looks like it is just out of its box ! There are very few around which makes them quite unique.

Finally, Tri-Compax Moon are getting the just recognition they deserve !
 
Larry S
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Lovely two tone service dial. Hands are relumed I suspect. Lovely moon disc. Great, sharp case. Yea, this has had some work over its life of service but the overall package is the very essence of classic Tri Compax to me. Price and speed of sale, wow.
 
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