Just bagged this Universal Geneve Tri-Compax 1960's

Diabolik · Feb 25, 2015

Looks nice. I have a NOS bezel which should make it look the business. Dial is acceptable but not perfect (what is). Thoughts ?

Gavin · Feb 25, 2015

I would keep the original bezel on. May be the angle but not sure if the crown belongs to this reference as it looks a bit thicker although it's signed.

woodwkr2 · Feb 25, 2015

Pushers and sweep seconds hand may be replacements. Gavin mentioned the crown.

The bezel is actually in pretty good shape. I'd keep this one installed as it matches the patina in the rest of the piece. Save the other bezel for your future acquisition of a mint dial/beat up bezel Tri-Compax 😉

x3no · Feb 25, 2015

Good looking panda dial tri-compax! Nice pickup, and agree with others here, but still gorgeous watch.

Carlton-Browne · Feb 25, 2015

Congratulations - I'm glad it went to somebody on here. I made an offer and received a counter-offer - you obviously stepped in just at that point. What was I thinking 🙄.

x3no · Feb 25, 2015

Did all tri-compaxes of that model come with the red second hand and red text for month and weekday? I seem to recall seeing a few that had a blue second hand and black text.. Sorry if this is the wrong thread, but figured I'd ask since this one was alive and well!

woodwkr2 · Feb 25, 2015

x3no
Did all tri-compaxes of that model come with the red second hand and red text for month and weekday? I seem to recall seeing a few that had a blue second hand and black text.. Sorry if this is the wrong thread, but figured I'd ask since this one was alive and well!

You're correct. They came with red seconds and red text and black text and blued seconds. Not necessarily limited to those combinations.

LouS · Feb 25, 2015

x3no
Did all tri-compaxes of that model come with the red second hand and red text for month and weekday? I seem to recall seeing a few that had a blue second hand and black text.. Sorry if this is the wrong thread, but figured I'd ask since this one was alive and well!

Like this one?

woodwkr2
You're correct. They came with red seconds and red text and black text and blued seconds. Not necessarily limited to those combinations.

The UG management subscribed to the Emersonian notion that consistency was the hobgoblin of little minds.

Diabolik · Mar 3, 2015

Just received. Not as bad as I though it was. Stripped pushers and sorted out long stem issue. Looks far better now! I think it was a bit of a bargain actually. Pushers look correct but will wait for the opinion of the experts on that. They do look right. A big plus is the serial and model number still visible (just about) on case back and match model (881101/01). Some discoloration on dial probably due to damp but movement seems perfect and all functions work correctly !!

I suppose the serial in the 2.5 million range puts it around 1966-67 which is about right as the balance has brequet hairspring which was phase out just after that ...

So, what does it need? I could do with a second hand and a dial ..

iflyem1 · Mar 3, 2015

I like it. Looks nice

woodwkr2 · Mar 4, 2015

I'm still not comfortable with those pushers.

In my experience, a new dial will be easier to source than a correct sweep seconds hand. When you really dive into it, I think you'll find that the profile is quite unique. Your best bet, may be to have one custom fabricated for you.

LouS · Mar 4, 2015

Well, if it comes to custom fabrication, Diabolik can handle it himself if past experience is any guide😉

woodwkr2 · Mar 4, 2015

Yes indeed. I, for one, am still appreciative of his work.

Diabolik · Mar 5, 2015

I am still working on those 1940's pushers and close to a result. i have to dettach sometimes and then return to the task with newly discovered vigor and enthusiasm. I am puzzled though ...

@woodwkr2 - can you enlighten me on what you consider a little out of the ordinary with pushers? Here are two more examples of ref 881101/01.

Diabolik · Mar 5, 2015

Well, I suppose I have found a dial but check the prices ...

http://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=70351587

Grab 'em while you can as there seems to be a renewed interest. Looks like prices for UG's are going through the roof !

woodwkr2 · Mar 5, 2015

There's a redial in the bunch.

Diabolik · Mar 5, 2015

Yes, 24 and 25 are redials. nasty one at that ! He does say so though ("ristampato") and they seems to be (relatively) a lot cheaper.

88cut · Mar 5, 2015

Here's a barn find. All original, numbera also visible on the back, even the crystal with the U logo.

88cut · Mar 5, 2015

...and a side view

Diabolik · Mar 30, 2015

Found a cheaper (relatively speaking dial) and went for it ... Looks nice and makes the watch a million times better. I will not reveal price I paid.

Still after a second hand if anyone has one ...