Exotic Compax 885108

Tennos
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These are really heating up these days, especially since “Ten” came out. Lots of poor examples suddenly appearing at sky high prices. Would appreciate any comments or observations on this example. Am trying to get better photos, but this is all I have right now.

Thanks

8B23A398-FC6C-4DA9-AACC-D74D8FC1D39E.jpeg
 
pdxleaf
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I know nothing about these so am useless, except to say I quite like it. It has the twisted lugs like a speedy and a similar bezel. Like the hands shape and dial colors. The markers have that nice 60's and 70's vibe.

It looks big (40mm?), a nice size. Is it a Valjoux 72 inside?

Unusual to me that it only has one T next to the Swiss marker.

I am looking forward to following the responses. Thanks for sharing. I might help drive up prices once I learn more.
 
Tennos
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36mm (not 40), so right-sized as far as I am concerned.

Yes, Val 72

Yes, one T (for tritium) on dial is correct and looks odd given everyone else (Rolex) uses two for symmetry (I assume)

Because prices have quadrupled in the last 5 years, there are a lot of pieces that are being, shall we say, "cleaned up." Whether all of the "cleaning" is being disclosed by the seller is another question entirely. Start your research here. https://www.blurb.com/b/10252471-universal-geneve-ten
 
pdxleaf
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Thanks. Looking forward to learning more.

I just discovered and bought a Gallet multichron with an EP40-68, which also used the 72 in later years. This led me to the Enicar Sherpa graph as it was also owned by the formula 1 driver Jim Clark. The UG popped up in research because it had a connection with Excelsior Park. I am just getting started and it's been interesting to find out how interconnected some of the makers were. The Valjoux 72 could be a whole collection in itself.

But I ramble. Your watch is sharp. As for the so-called cleaning up, that is a apparently happening across makers. We almost need to be WIS on a watch before buying a vintage anymore. A bit nerve racking.

Thanks again. And appreciate the book tip.
 
bazamu
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There are just a few things that stick out to me:
- Subdials have scratching on them - this should be a serious value consideration
- The hour and minute hands have been seen on a few other Compaxes (especially recently) but I am constantly skeptical that they are correct. The hands that I accept as completely correct have longer lume plots and the minute hand should stop at the edge of the applied indicies (not all the way through the white minute track). With that said, the lume matches very closely and UG was known for being a little loose with the uniformity of all the small details across its lines, so they could very well be original.

Is this being sold by Matt Bain?
 
Tennos
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Yes indeed, it is a Bain piece, and yes, the dial makes this a non-starter for me. The subdials I might be able to live with, but the smudge at 5-6 is really a big issue.

Others have weighed in that the hands are from a Big Eye. (That's a shame, isn't it?)

Thanks for your input. I have another piece being offered (maybe). I will DM you with photos.

Tony
 
Larry S
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My concern begins and ends with the dealer. High priced and not always careful.
 
Redwes25
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Tennos Tennos
I think you may be right about that!

Think the big scratch is on plexi but looks like other smaller scratches/marks on subdials.
 
mkatz
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F46CC931-BD4D-463C-A854-CC48AFC64E3E.jpeg

Here’s a blue/grey sibling that I recently purchased that I am fairly certain is all original.
 
timjohn
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Phillips have got one coming up in their next Geneva auction with an estimate of CHF20-40,000
3E64804A-FE60-484C-B822-809CB39B93B1.png
 
Enzo
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Have seen a couple now with the flat top sub-dial hand @ 9 and pointy at the 3 and 6 markers...
Just curios, is this correct? should they all be flat or all pointy?
 
Enzo
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Thank you 👍
Fabulous looking watches 🥰
 
bazamu
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Enzo Enzo
Have seen a couple now with the flat top sub-dial hand @ 9 and pointy at the 3 and 6 markers...
Just curios, is this correct? should they all be flat or all pointy?
That is the correct configuration
 
Redwes25
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bazamu bazamu
That is the correct configuration

Are other version incorrect or are both versions correct?

ETA - on the exotic compax as understand that you have some changes in hands on Nina and Evil Nina.
 
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