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Universal tre tacche "Colonial" wristwatch

  1. valjoux72 Apr 26, 2018

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    When it comes to Universal, one of the most admired watch by collectors is the Universal Colonial Chronograph (Cal. 285). Build only for a very short period of time, these watches fascinate with their "avantgarde" case design and beautiful dials.

    The picture to illustrate is from longtime OF member Laurent Noodia, who passed away much to early and had one of these watches in his incredible collection.

    Screenshot-2018-4-26 Laurent Noodia.png
    Source: Noodia (Instagram)

    As the italian collector Dr.Steel, who has a mindblowing example (signed Compur) in his collection, pointed out, all known Colonial chronographs are in the range of 5XX.XXX produced around 1935.

    https://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=71923977

    But as we know from an original adverts, "Colonial" is not a model name, but the description for the very first water and clima proofed Universal watches with special case designs.

    Werbung Colonial.php.jpg
    Credit: nicola1960

    Beside these incredible chronographs there exsist a few timeonly Colonials too.

    A very beautiful example Colonial Prima belongs to famous collector Jack Wong. Smaller in size than the chronographs, it has a very similar case design, an amazing sector dial and a golden bezel.

    Jack Wong auf Instagram Universal Geneve Prima Colonial.png
    (Source Jack Wong, Instagram)

    Thanks to @aap (who reminds me one fs on ebay) I was able to catch one of these early Colonials timeonly last week.Solid stainless steel case around 31mm in diameter and with a very rotten crystal and hardly worn crown, but in running condition and with original blued sword hands.
    Not a real steal, but for what I think is a very decent price.

    Original dial with beautiful numerals (open 9) still under the rotten crystal, but I´m quite sure that it will look awesome with a new glass. Case design looks familiar, even if there are no crown guard and no beveld edges (anymore?).

    20180426_160125_resized.jpg


    The case back is very interesting as it shares the typical tre tacche screwback we know from early Longines.

    20180426_160037_resized.jpg

    Case even has a three digit number that matches the serial number in caseback.
    The older UW logo / staybrite is period correct for around 1935
    .
    20180426_155444.jpg

    The nicely finished movement is a Universal watch signed AS 340 with geneva stripes.


    So I hope you share my passion for this rare watch. I will add some pics when it comes back from spa...
     
    Edited Jun 26, 2018
  2. Florent Apr 26, 2018

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    Lovely post ! Thanks for sharing.
    Appreciated it :)
     
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  3. Carlton-Browne Apr 26, 2018

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    I think this might call for an impromptu beer or coffee...
     
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  4. aap Apr 26, 2018

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    Congratulations! I assume I'm first in the dibs line? ;)
     
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  5. merchandiser Apr 26, 2018

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    Great post, thank you!
     
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  6. GuiltyBoomerang Apr 27, 2018

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    Lovely little piece with the history to match!

    Just shows there's so much more to certain brands than you expect.
     
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  7. valjoux72 Apr 27, 2018

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    That's for sure! Thanks again for your hint.
    Glad that you all share my passion for this little gem.
    When I saw it the first time on Ebay a few weeks ago, I wasn't aware of its rarety. After some research I was sure that these Colonials are quite unique and important for UG brand history.
     
  8. reficul_x Apr 27, 2018

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    Thanks for this wonderful article and thanks for the credit.

    The time only example has a very interesting copper bezel. Certainly unusual!
     
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  9. doctor steel Apr 27, 2018

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    Thanks @valjoux72 for mentioning me
    Nice your piece ... :thumbsup:
     
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  10. Radiumpassion Apr 28, 2018

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    Great post! Thank you for sharing:thumbsup:

    I also got a UG "tre tacche" in my collection. I would not call it a Colonial
    thoug.



    image.jpg image.jpg
     
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  11. Florent Apr 28, 2018

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    Lovely. I think this model can be called « colonial ». Same marks for the caseback, probably also waterproof ...
     
  12. aap Apr 28, 2018

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  13. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Apr 28, 2018

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    Very nice thread and lovely watches. Congrats on the acquisition and of course @reficul_x and @Radiumpassion s examples are also beautiful.

    Interesting that the model in the advertisement clearly had a Taubert case (branded Francois Borgel) exactly like the small Mido Multiforts.
     
    Edited Apr 28, 2018
  14. Radiumpassion Apr 28, 2018

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    Thank you very much! I'll take the bragging rights to own a "Colonial";)

    Also a interesting obervation by @Syrte as the "tre tacche" cases were not
    made by Taubert:)
     
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  15. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Apr 28, 2018

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    Just to be clear, this is the Taubert case I was referring to. Definitely not a tre tacche!
    Those old advertisements are always so endearing. That frog is sweet, and you will note you can put the watch in the sand and the snow without risking damage.

    Edit/ ad: who first posted that great advertisement by the way?i suppose a collector from Orologi e Passioni gets credit for it?
     
    107CB022-9180-4FEE-8574-78F6060F10BC.jpeg
  16. valjoux72 Apr 28, 2018

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    Yes, it is from @nicola1960
     
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  17. Radiumpassion Apr 28, 2018

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    I understood what you ment @Syrte :thumbsup: It's a very simular case, posing a couple of pictures of my Multifort for reference. image.jpg

    image.jpg
     
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  18. Tire-comedon First Globemaster Apr 29, 2018

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    Beautiful Watch. Its design is very close to the 1941 Omega 'Naiad' ref CK 2111 :

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This Omega model also had a three notches caseback :
    [​IMG]
    (later replaced by a six notches one btw).
     
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  19. valjoux72 May 2, 2018

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    That is true. This is the caseback of my second UG colonial shown in the add, mabye the most beautiful of all UG casebacks imho.
    20170920_121649.jpg

    Werbung Colonial chronograph.jpg

    As written Colonial only referres to water and dust proofed cases.
    Another add from Nicola1960 showing chronographs colonial style.
     
    20170920_180735.jpg
  20. valjoux72 May 2, 2018

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    But that is what it is!!