Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Universal Genève Aero-Compax 24h GMT Chronograph, 1960s
- Maker / attribution
- Universal Geneve (maker)
- Date
- 1960s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- Stainless Steel
- Dimensions
- Diameter 41 mm
- Stock no.
- CUR7
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Watches of Knightsbridge (CUR7)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Universal Genève Aero-Compax 24h GMT Chronograph (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London (stock number CUR7), this is a wristwatch by Universal Geneve, made in Switzerland, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: Stainless Steel. Recorded dimensions: Diameter 41 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Watches of Knightsbridge
This reference 890100/01 is from the late 1960s which is the golden age of chronographs. The dial features a large and legible 24-hour scale instead of a second time register, as seen in earlier examples. The rotating bezel also features a 24-hour scale and doubles up this function, allowing the wearer to track a second time zone. Universal Genève did not produce their own movement with 24 hour functionally and therefore used a base Venus calibre 178, same as those used in early Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute models. This modified Venus movement, UG calibre 90, was used to accommodate for the 24-hour display and unusual 15-minute register (a feature that conveniently co-insides with the duration of pre-flight take-off checks). This UG Aero-Compax ref. 890100/01 sports a large 41mm steel case, which is not only comfortable on the wrist but affords the wearer full legibility at a glance. Overall, not only this is this a very rare UG model, it is also a excellent example. The original dial and hands have a really unique design and remain in excellent condition. The case is still sharp with the serial and reference numbers still legible on the case back. The movement is clean and fully functioning.
Specifications — Watches of Knightsbridge
Reference: 890100/01; Metal: Stainless Steel; Movement: Manual-Wind UG Calibre 90; Case diameter: 41mm; Bracelet/strap: Brown Leather Calf-Skin w/ a Steel Pin Buckle
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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