Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Universal Genève Compur Chronograph Steel Spillmann Case Silver Dial Ref 22409, 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 38 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2694
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2694)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Universal Genève Compur Chronograph Steel Spillmann Case Silver Dial Ref 22409 (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-2694), 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 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 — Bulang & Sons
We are delighted to be offering you guys this delightful Universal Geneve Compur cased in a steel case by Spillman, well known case maker for brands such as Patek Philippe. This wonderful case has large pushers and an unusual snap-on case back. The large 38mm steel case is in great condition. The no lume dial features black painted Arabic numerals and has a Base 1000 chronograph scale on the perimeter. The hands, including both sub dial hands and the centre stopwatch hands, are in blued steel. The watch is signed UG on the dial, case, and movement. The watch is fitted with the pictured strap and the UG calibre 285 manual wind movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. We are having a real moment with vintage chronographs. Check out our full selection and please come and visit us to see it! Specifications: - Universal Geneve Compur reference 22409 - 38mm steel case case by Spillman - Large pushers - Case number 742xxx dates to 1940s - No lume dial and hands - Pictured leather strap - UG calibre 285 movement - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a Bulang and Sons strap
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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