Universal Geneve Tri-Compax

Jan 29, 2013,18:36 PM
 

Hard to find an appropriate forum to discuss this one so hope you don't mind that I plonked it down in my favorite (and most closely related) forum ;-).

Have the opportunity to pick this up from a friend of mine. Said to be 1940s, cal 287 which seems correct.
Will have it here in a couple days to inspect closer. 
Know this movement and configuration, but dial seems to be much cruder than others I have seen.
Your thoughts would be extremely helpful. Watch is in working order.





  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

About the dial ...

 
 By: nilomis : January 30th, 2013-08:17
This exact watch was discussed (even the same picture) in August 30th, 2007 on another forum. The watch date is, like yours, Monday, November 30th. We live on a very small world and Google makes this blue ball smaller. In the discussion some poster stated... 

Here are some recent pictures...

 
 By: mrsnak : January 30th, 2013-17:59
...not yet in my hands ...  

reference number

 
 By: LouS : January 30th, 2013-17:10
Could you let us know the serial number and the reference number off of the back? As you may know, there is now a superb reference for these in the form of Sala's Universal Watch Geneve . It does not cover all the dial variations, but certainly gives one ... 

As soon as the watch arrives...

 
 By: mrsnak : January 30th, 2013-18:00
... I will have all that info. Thanks so much for the help.

I've looked at lots

 
 By: p_savage6 : February 1st, 2013-13:54
Of these,and I have one from 1944, but I cant recall ever seeing the 3 buttons protuding out of the case before. All the examples I've seen, the buttons are recessed - pls see picture below ( borrowed from internet). Is this a later model? Cheers, Paul ...  

I have seen a couple on the web with the...

 
 By: mrsnak : February 4th, 2013-10:52
...protruding pushers. One 18KT just sold on eBay. Had been watching it to get an idea of how the collectors might view that example. It did well.

Reference number

 
 By: mrsnak : February 6th, 2013-11:27
9477150 22260

This came from UG...

 
 By: mrsnak : February 6th, 2013-15:57
" Thank you very much for the formations your provided us. According to our files, now incomplete, your UNIVERSAL GENEVE “Tri-Compax” chronograph model 22.260, with steel case and pink gold lugs, (serial number 947’150) has been produced in 1944, the firs... 

Thank you

 
 By: LouS : February 6th, 2013-18:47
I believe the dial to be original. There is a very similar dial documented in the UG archives for case reference 22263, with enough idiosyncrasies shared with this one that it is hard to believe it is not from the same dial makers. In addition, the fonts ... 

Thank you, Lou...

 
 By: mrsnak : February 6th, 2013-19:37
..this has been quite sleuthing process, and because of it, has been a wonderful learning experience for me. Will be visiting my watchmaker in the AM, so I'll be able to post movement pictures later in the afternoon.

Watch arrived!

 
 By: mrsnak : February 6th, 2013-11:21
Copper lugs on a steel case. Copper markers on the dial. Runs well, but the quickset date and moonphase pushers don't advance. The month does. Will be taking it to my watchmaker for a movement inspection, but I have seen nothing quite like this example. A...  

It's almost certainly a redial...

 
 By: mrsnak : February 23rd, 2013-18:29
...but according to my (very knowledgeable) watchmaker, a very high quality one. Just got the watch back from him today and besides every function now working perfectly (and will for years to come), it's keeping COSC spec timing (at least for a while ;-))... 

And you are more than right! I had many times been tempted.

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2013-23:53
And you, know, Temptation is my kingdom. ;) Best, Nicolas.

Here's the movement....

 
 By: mrsnak : February 7th, 2013-13:08
Very clean 481. Setter problem is repairable. Watchmaker says redial, but high quality. Case was polished at some point. ...  

Extract from UG

 
 By: p_savage6 : February 7th, 2013-15:24
Mrsnak, can you please tell me who you wrote to at UG to get an extract from their archives please? Cheers, Paul

They responded by evaluating photos...

 
 By: mrsnak : February 7th, 2013-18:46
I will PM you on this due to naming names.

I too was

 
 By: cruvon : February 16th, 2013-00:52
I too was interested in one of these that came on sale but on speakig to my watchmaker I was told spare parts for these are either unavailable or can take months to source and was told thre is only one person who is known to have a stock of parts which ag... 

I did buy this one...

 
 By: mrsnak : February 16th, 2013-08:33
Movement got approval from from my watchmaker. Mine only needs some minor work to get the two setters working. Seeing him this AM, as a matter of fact. Has been keeping excellent time.

Excellent, looking forward

 
 By: cruvon : February 17th, 2013-05:35
to hearing your experiences with this watch!

He loves this movement...

 
 By: mrsnak : February 17th, 2013-17:43
...and was surprised to hear that others may think it's unreliable. My problem with the two non-working setters is that that the date wheel gear falls out of alignment after a few pushes due to some play. The date gear would rise up after a few (date and ...  

Looks beautiful mate,

 
 By: cruvon : February 21st, 2013-05:58
good to hear that the movement is reliable. Looks like shes getting an awesome spa traetment, can't wait to see the results. Whats his thoughts about spare parts availability?

Not getting a full resto...

 
 By: mrsnak : February 21st, 2013-08:49
...at this time, but it's in fine working condition, aside from the setters. Not even sure I want to clean the patina off the lugs... We hadn't discussed parts availability in general, but he feels that if needed, he can find them. I saw a movement come u... 

UG Extract

 
 By: Walmonthiry : October 28th, 2017-08:28
guys can you tell me whom at UG you are able to contact to seek if archive extracts? I have a couple of tri-compaxes for which I would extracts if possible. Any contacts, phone or email, would be great. Thank you.