Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Universal Geneve Chronograph Tri Compax 18kt Rose Gold, 1940s
- Maker / attribution
- Universal Geneve (maker)
- Date
- 1940s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- rose gold
- Dimensions
- Case 35 mm
- Stock no.
- W-947
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-947)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Universal Geneve Chronograph Tri Compax 18kt Rose Gold (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-947), this is a wristwatch by Universal Geneve, made in Switzerland, dated 1940s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: rose gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 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 — Bulang & Sons
The golden touch… This is a stunning condition Universal Geneve chronograph in a delightful 35mm rose gold case that remains in beautiful condition. The dial features applied dot hour markers, painted Arabic 12 and has a Base 1000 chronograph scale on the perimeter. The centre minutes and hours hands are in rose gold and the three chronograph and stopwatch hand are in blued steel. The sub dial hands and the centre stop watch hands are in blued steel and remain in beautiful condition. The case features square pushers and a large rose gold winding crown. The case has applied ‘fancy’ lugs which lend the watch and unusual and yet very classy air – we love this cool old chrono and the condition is incredible! The movement has been checked by our watchmaker. Specifications - Universal Geneve Tri Compax - 35mm 18kt rose gold case - Dates to 1940s - UG Cal 285 manual wind movement - Non lume Base1000 tachymeter dial - Checked by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade single leather watch pouch
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
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
Related records
Wristwatches · 1970s
1970s Universal Geneve Polerouter Day-Date Movement Dial Cal 72 Microtor 17J 29mm Auto
LiveAuctioneers auction archive
Wristwatches · 1960s
Universal Geneve Uni- Compax (Ref. 884100/02) “Big Eye”, 1960s
Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles
Wristwatches · 1960s
Universal Genève Tri-Compax (Ref. 881101/01) "Eric Clapton", 1960s
Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles
Wristwatches · 1960s
Universal Geneve Compax (Ref. 885103/01) "Evil Nina" W/ Base 200 UPH Bezel, 1960s
Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles
Wristwatches · 1931
Rolex 'Oyster Perpetual' rotor self-winding wrist-watch, lever escapement, in steel case with glass in back, Montres Rolex SA, Geneva, Switzerland, 1931
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1900–1999
Wristwatch by Certina, Switzerland, 1900–1999
Nordic Museum Foundation
Wristwatches · 1900–1999
Wristwatch by Omega, Västerås, 1900–1999
Nordic Museum Foundation
Wristwatches · 1900–1999
Wristwatch by Universal, Switzerland, 1900–1999
Nordic Museum Foundation