£2,250.00
Dating to 1947, this Universal Genève Uni-Compax is a fine example of Swiss chronograph production during the immediate post-war period. Founded in 1894, Universal Genève established itself as one of the foremost manufacturers of complicated wristwatches, particularly renowned for its chronographs. The Uni-Compax was introduced in the mid-1930s as a two-register chronograph, offering elapsed-time measurement alongside conventional timekeeping. Its restrained design and technical sophistication made it a popular choice throughout the 1940s, a period during which wristwatch chronographs became increasingly established as both practical instruments and refined personal timepieces.
This example, reference 42410, features a beautifully proportioned 35mm gold-plated case with elegant curved lugs and traditional rectangular chronograph pushers. The wonderfully preserved dial exhibits a warm, gently aged finish, complemented by gilded Arabic numerals at 12 and 6, applied hour markers and delicate gilt hands. Two recessed subsidiary registers provide running seconds and a 45-minute chronograph counter, maintaining the balanced symmetry characteristic of the Uni-Compax. The combination of the softly aged dial, polished gold-tone case and understated detailing captures the distinctive elegance of late-1940s watchmaking.
At its heart is the manually wound Universal Genève calibre 285, a column-wheel chronograph movement developed from the Martel Watch Co. family of movements, which formed the foundation of many of Universal Genève’s most celebrated chronographs. The calibre 285 is particularly notable for its traditional construction, precise mechanical operation and historical association with the golden age of Swiss chronograph manufacture. With its attractive original-style dial, lovely case condition and historically significant movement, this Uni-Compax represents an excellent example of the craftsmanship and design that established Universal Genève’s reputation among collectors of vintage chronographs.
| Case Size | 35mm (excluding crown) |
|---|---|
| Complications | Chronograph |
| Movement | Universal Genève cal.285 |
| Delivery | Watch only |
| Reference | 42410 |
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