Universal Genève Compur ref. 12482, 'Spillman'

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

Universal Genève was one of the many great brands that succumbed to the quartz crisis of the 1970s. While they disappeared, it was not for their lack of impressive watches. To underscore that fact, keep in mind that Henri Stern Watch Agency in their nearly 80-year history has only ever sold two brands: Patek Philippe, and Universal Genève. The piece that we have here hails from the early 1940s — a time when the world was at war. Predating the more recognizable ‘Compax’ line of watches were a few different chronographs produced with specific use-cases in mind (e.g., Film-Compax, Medico-Compax, Dato-Compax, etc.) this 'Compur' chronograph was a relatively straightforward two-register chronograph in the family. Far simpler than their perhaps better known high complication ‘Tri-Compax,' the Compur were still offered with a variety of cases and dial variants and utilized in-house Universal Genève calibres. This particular Reference 12482 is quite simply the finest yellow gold example that we have ever seen. Dating to circa 1942, the 38mm 'Spillman' case remains in unpolished condition. It is hard to imagine seeing a nicer one. It shows normal signs of wear from age, with thick and prominent sculptured lugs, a screw-down caseback, 'pump' pushers, and a striking, deep oxidation on the right side. Inside, the champagne dial is also in flat-out exceptional condition. Beautifully preserved throughout, the surface is clean and clear, seemingly devoid of any major wear and touts a subtly 'brushed' finishing. The text, 'concentric' finishing within the subsidiary registers, and the Radium numerals are all in fantastic condition. The correct blued-steel 'kite' handset has likely been professionally color-matched to the dial with Tritium — a very tasteful and necessary touch. Powering this piece is UG's Cal. 285 manual-winding movement. Whats more, this piece is enhanced by an always alluring and particularly stunning engraving on its caseback. Design details like the dynamic and perfectly-sized case, the two-register dial layout with cropped indices, and that elegant gold dial amount to a piece that clearly shows why Universal Genève was ultimately considered to be one of the finest manufactures in the era. Examples in condition like this with a desirable configuration simply do not surface on the open market all that often... and with the recent re-launch of the brand, collectors seem to be holding on to pieces like this, making for a great opportunity to grab this one.