Universal Genève Space-Compax ref. 885104/01, 'Mk1' Reverse-Panda Dial

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. Building upon the brand’s long-established Compax lineage, the Space-Compax was i ntroduced during the 1960s at the height of the Space Age and represented Universal Genève’s answer to the growing demand for technically sophisticated, modern chronographs. And the Space-Compax sure delivered, combining a highly legible three-register chronograph layout with a distinctive design language with a technically forward-thinking form. The asymmetrical case measures in at 40mm in diameter and utilized a screw-down caseback, screw-down crown, and even a water-resistant pusher design. Rather than simple 'pump' pushers, the mechanisms are capped with rubber and secured by a screw-down 'collar,' effectively providing a sealed pusher. The bezel is a single piece rather than an assembly with an insert, and doubles-down on the timing functionality with 60-minute marks and a colored market at the 12 o'clock position. Inside, the dial is characterized by bold indices, contrasting 'concentric' subsidiary registers, and colorful accents with a both colorful and bold handset tying it all together. These pieces were all powered by UG's Cal. 85 manual-winding movement. The example that we have here, a Ref. 885104/02, dates to circa 1967 and is offered in fantastic overall condition. The case shows signs of very light previous polished, perhaps on the case profiles only, with normal signs of wear and no damage or excess wear of note. The pushers, crown, and bezel all show light wear and present beautifully. The dial within, likely due to its resistance to the elements, is also wonderfully preserved, with a nice clean surface, crisp subsidiary registers, and fully-intact luminous elements. Additionally, it comes fitted to its correct and exceedingly rare, 'double-grain beads-of-rice' Gay Frères bracelet with the correct endlinks and signed fliplock clasp. Design details like the dynamic and modern sizing of the case, the calibre within, and the thoughtful, bold dial layout, amount to a piece that clearly shows why Universal Genève was ultimately considered to be one of the finest manufactures in the era. In any condition, Space-Compaxes simply do not surface on the open market all that often — let alone in this condition and with its correct bracelet.... 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.