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Universal Genève Aero-Compax (Ref. 22704/3) "Type B", 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Universal Genève Aero-Compax (Ref. 22704/3) "Type B", 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Universal Geneve (maker)
Date
1960s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 38 mm
Stock no.
UGAC227043TB
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (UGAC227043TB)
Catalogue title (original)
1960s Universal Genève Aero-Compax (Ref. 22704/3) "Type B" (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number UGAC227043TB), 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. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 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 — Craft & Tailored

Universal Genève created its first chronograph i n 1917 and roughly 18 years later, they launched their first “Compax”. The Aero-Compax iteration was manufactured shortly after in the 1940s as a pilots chronograph just in time for the Second World War. The "Type B" Aero-Compax was introduced after the war in the 1950s and kept true to it's heritage. The oversized 38mm case, large arabic numerals and broad hour and minutes hands make the Type B a pure pilots chronograph, powered by a reliable Valjoux 72 movement. SPECS Stock # UGAC227043TB Brand Universal Genève Style Pilots Chronograph Model Aero-Compax Serial N/A Size Men's Material SS Dial White Millimeters 38mm Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The oversized stainless steel case is in excellent condition, though it has been lightly polished in the past the factory chamfers are present down the lugs. The smooth stainless steel bezel is wonderful showing little signs of use. The watch retains its original pushers and "Universal Genève" signed crown. The watch will come supplied on a leather strap of your choosing. DIAL & HANDS The high visibility white dial features a unique red crosshair under the handstack and large arabic numerals. The dial itself feaures a matte face with a mettalic outer tachymeter scale, which makes for a sublte but interesting format and remains exceptionally clean for it's age. The tritium lume plots all remain present and have taken on a dark patina, under U.V. light inspection only light degradation is visible. The blued stainless steel hands and subsidiary hands all remain in exceptionall condition, under U.V. light inspection the hands exhibit no degradation and have aged lighter than the dial. ACCESSORIES

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

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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.

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