
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Universal Genève Compax Chronograph in Steel Screw-Down Case, 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
- steel
- Dimensions
- Case 37 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2883
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2883)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Universal Genève Compax Chronograph in Steel Screw-Down Case (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-2883), 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: steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 37 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
Universal Genève watches boast a rich history that dates back to 1894 when watchmakers Émile Descombes and Ulysse Georges Perret established a company focused on crafting complicated timepieces. Their first wristwatch chronograph was introduced in 1917. In 1934, the company was renamed Universal Watch, relocated to Geneva, and experienced remarkable international growth. Throughout the decades, they released a series of elegant and complex models, including the Compax, Aero-Compax, and Tri-Compax (1930–40) and the iconic Polerouter (1954). With Breitling's recent acquisition of Universal Genève, we anticipate that the new team will breathe fresh life into these classic models! The “Compax” line was groundbreaking, being the first wristwatch chronographs with hour counters at the time of their introduction. Presenting the second series of the “Compax” chronograph, known for its waterproof design and hexagonal screw-down caseback (the earlier models featured square pushers and snap-back cases). This 37mm timepiece is in fantastic condition, showcasing lovely pump pushers, a striking silver dial with lumed Arabic numerals, and a blue-printed “base 1000” scale. This fine chronograph is paired with a nice Bulang and Sons strap, and the hand-wound Cal. 285 has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. Don’t miss the chance to own this timeless classic! Contact us today for more details. Specifications: - Universal Genève Compax Reference 22410/5 - 37mm steel screw-down case - Pump pushers - Serial 129xxxx, dates to the 1940s - Arabic lume numerals, lumed blued sword hands - Blue base 1000 scale - UG Cal. 285 movement - Fully serviced by our watchmaker
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
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