In desperate search of a Tri-Compax

joedel87 · Feb 2, 2015

Good afternoon fellow watch lovers,

Like many of you I am head over heels for the tri-compax. Do any of you know where I can find one? I've combed through eBay. This is my first real hunt for a vintage watch. Which forums have you guys had the best luck in? Anything will help.

Thanks in advance!

jordn · Feb 2, 2015

Sorry to disappoint you, but there aren't any secret sources for Tri-Compaxes (or any watch, really). Even if there were, it's a bit naive to think any of us would reveal them 😉 haha. Ebay is as good of a place to look as any

Any item of high desirability is going to require patience and investment of time into research before the purchase of one, so look forward to that 📖. Pietro Sala's book on complicated UG watches is a great place to start and totally worth the 130 USD: http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-W...T_Libri_Romanzi_Narrativa&hash=item3aa01e0534

This forum has some of the most knowledgeable UG collectors I've ever seen, so reading past threads will certainly be a help to you, too. Good luck with your search!

LouS · Feb 2, 2015

joedel87
This is my first real hunt for a vintage watch.

Yep, it shows.

Dial down the desperation in your thread title and take it slow, friend. There's a lot to learn before diving into any vintage watch, much less Tri-Compaxes. Impulse purchases before you have developed your eye are likely to be costly. (I'm talking 'em off the ledges today, ain't I?)

Modest_Proposal · Feb 2, 2015

This is one of the only watch forums I know of that has a dedicated Universal Geneve section. There are many users who are very experienced with UG's and can help you find what you're looking for. Please seek out advice before making a purchase, if you are unsure about authenticity or price.

Stewart H · Feb 2, 2015

Don't take this the wrong way but too many people entering this hobby suffer from "search engine" mentality. They expect instant results and perfect results, at that. The essence of collecting vintage watches is all about the hunt. Do your research. Buy and read books - this isn't cheap for specialist, limited market publications - and research as much as you can.

Starting with high end watches is not, IMHO, the way to go. It takes years to learn about the watches you are looking at and all of us have been burned at one time or another.

All I can suggest is to take baby steps and work your way up to a piece like a Tri-Compax. UGs are renowned for being a minefield - there are too many, very well re-finished dials. That isn't to say that other watches should not be considered in the same bracket - just search this forum for Zenith A386 or Omega Seamaster 300s, let alone the pre-moon Omega Speedmasters.

You will also find that people guard good sources with a passion until you can break into the right circles of collectors.

LouS · Feb 2, 2015

Modest_Proposal
This is only watch forum that has a dedicated Universal Geneve section....

There, fixed it for you.

joedel87 · Feb 2, 2015

I can not tell how much I appreciate the advice and the pantience. The advice has been tremendously helpful. I will certainly be sure to do my homework. This is one I have come across and has stood out. What do you guys think?

woodwkr2 · Feb 2, 2015

This one has been floating around the bay for a while now and has been discussed previously.

First step in learning about vintage watches: reading. Read the old threads around here. It's the best interactive library that you'll ever find.

LouS · Feb 2, 2015

Who was the mod at WUS who was coming down on people to use the search function so constantly it became a term? Stouffer? Something like that?

joedel87 · Feb 2, 2015

I found it. Thanks for the heads up woodwkr2!

LouS · Feb 2, 2015

joedel87
I can not tell how much I appreciate the advice and the pantience. The advice has been tremendously helpful. I will certainly be sure to do my homework. This is one I have come across and has stood out. What do you guys think?

I'll answer because I can't easily find the previous discussion. That watch ain't bad, Joe. By way of caution, I draw your attention to the fact that the images are a bit out of focus, which makes the condition of both the dial and the case hard to judge definitively. That said, the dial looks good, and the case could be good too. What is the diameter? These run from 33 to 38mm and that makes a huge difference on the wrist (and in the wallet, the larger ones going for a significant premium). That 17mm strap suggests a smaller size. If anything smaller than 37mm, are you used to wearing vintage watches? If not, your eye will take some time getting used to the smaller size.

joedel87 · Feb 2, 2015

Thanks louS. I am used too vintage watches. My grandfather has been generous enough to give me a few. Here are two others I've come across as well. The one with the black strap looks as if it's too good to be true. I'm sure the dial has been redone at some point. The other one is from a pretty reputable jewler. I'm going to purchase the book as you guys previously recommended. Once again you guys are the best and are tremendously helpful.

joedel87 · Feb 2, 2015

Sorry the brown strap looks too good to be true.

LouS · Feb 2, 2015

joedel87
Sorry the brown strap looks too good to be true.

And it is. It's a redial.

joedel87 · Feb 2, 2015

I know the month and the day of the week are in French which was normal for the market it was manufactured for.

woodwkr2 · Feb 2, 2015

Please. Stop posting pictures. Start reading. 🤦

joedel87 · Feb 2, 2015

I'm sorry LouS. I just found the redial in another thread. I feel pretty lame. I'll be sure to do more research in the forum before posting any more findings.

LouS · Feb 2, 2015

Stuffler. Mike Stuffler. He used to ban people for saying they got "Stufflered."

Of course, some of our finest have been banned from WUS. More than once, I think.