Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Universal Genève Uni-Compax Chronograph, 18k Pink Gold
- Maker / attribution
- Universal Genève (maker)
- Date
- c. 1940s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dimensions
- Case 37 mm
- Stock no.
- Product 9979248738580
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Collectors Corner NY (product 9979248738580)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Universal Genève Uni-Compax Chronograph - 18k Pink Gold (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (stock number Product 9979248738580), this is a wristwatch by Universal Genève, made in Switzerland, dated c. 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: gold. 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 — Collectors Corner NY
Universal Genève were one of the many brands to give way to the quartz crisis but their quality and rich history have kept vintage watch collectors attention decades later. Arguably best known for their Compax chronographs - notably worn by Eric Clapton and Nina Rindt as well as their Polerouter - a Gérald Genta design at the young age of just 23, vintage Universal Genève watches saw notable usage as tools and on the wrists of celebrated figures. Today, Breitling's acquisition and revival of the brand in '23 is bringing back more attention to the deeper cut brand that vintage enthusiasts love so much. On offer is a Uni-Compax chronograph circa 1940s cased in 18k pink gold. It comes from the collection of a well-regarded watchmaker and it is running and all functions are working properly. This piece has remained in good vintage condition considering its age and makes for a great crossover of a sporty/dressy option for someone with a medium to larger sized wrist, given the 37mm case. The dial has some service marks visible in the macro shots but looks honest and has nice character throughout. The case remains strong with thick, even lugs and a crisp looking hallmark on its left side. Notably, the caseback retains its ref. and serial number which are clearly legible and desirable for any vintage UG collector.
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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