Universal Geneve Compur chronograph from 40s. What would you replace/re-chrome?

K
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Hi,
last week I found a nice 36mm UG Compur in a www. flea market.
Condition seemed very well, seller was nice, so I picked it up.

Because I not know Universal Geneve chronographs very well, I did not recognize, that the first number in the reference suggests, that the case is chromed (in this case, I guess nickel-plated and chromed, only back and perhaps bezel should be steel).
Always thought, that only the Berthoud or UWECO have that kind of cases.

After I picked it up, I opened the caseback and saw the Universal Geneve 385, I guess.
But without "385" engraving.


The movement runs and it will get a service.

The lower pusher is a little bit sticky, but works.
My watchmaker told me, that it for sure is possible to re-chrome the pushers?!

Otherwise, the watch seems to be in good condition for its age.
Has some dial issues under the hand of the minute counter, but that's no problem for me.
The hands and dial have genuine radium lume (should I fix the lume of the hands from behind?).

Overall, I am very satisfied with the condition, but what would you do to wear it and prepare it for the collection?

Pics:

20250716_182407.webp 20250716_182510.webp 20250716_192435.webp 20250716_182517.webp 20250716_182339.webp 20250716_133626.webp 20250718_095410.webp 20250718_095356.webp 20250718_095336.webp
Thanks in advance for your help.

Best,
Peter
Edited:
 
gilb12
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Nice catch!! 馃憦馃憦馃憦馃憦馃憦


I would do just a service and immediately on the wrist! 馃槏馃槏
 
Mark020
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I would really not bother replating the pusher. In the end it will look to new
 
SWmania
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Yes, just keep as is

Looks quite nice as is.

Re plating only the pushers will look out of place IMHO.
 
K
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O.k., seems like a clear statement.
So, the watch will get only a mechanical service.
Thanks at all for the help!
 
Larry S
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A flea market? You must have some nice flea markets to find a gem like this!
 
gilb12
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Larry S Larry S
A flea market? You must have some nice flea markets to find a gem like this!
This 馃槻
 
Mark020
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K KP-99
After I picked it up, I opened the caseback and saw the Universal Geneve 385, I guess.
But without "385" engraving.
The movement number is correct though so the movement it original to the watch (and most probably a 287)

32411 and 32412 are interesting references. Not mentioned in Sala but quite large batches. I think both references will have been made in 425 pieces
Edited:
 
Larry S
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Do not allow your watchmaker to talk you into swapping out the female spring bars. Clean and lubricate. Take good care of em because they are almost impossible to find in this size.
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K
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Thanks for all the informations!
Very interesting news.
Have to find the differences between UG287 and 385.
Female spring bars on such watches were new to me.
I saw them on gold watches, but not on this chronographs.
At the first visit at my watchmaker, he told me, that there is no problem to get new spring bars for it, but he is no Universal Geneve expert.
So, good informations!

Found it in germany in a kind of www. fleamarket.
Price was reasonable.
It was a watch of an old watchmaker, who unfortunately died some years ago.
The niece sold the watch to me.
Saw the watch and it was love from the first moment.
Was surprised about the nice size, but did not realize, that it is no stainless steel.
Will treat it with care!

Thanks again to all.
 
bgrisso
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Beautiful watch, great condition, don't touch it aside from a service ! It looks perfect that way it is, congratulations!
 
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