Universal. A highly rare and unusual oversized stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with two-toned silvered dial
Lot 111

Universal. A highly rare and unusual oversized stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with two-toned silvered dial

SIGNED UNIVERSAL, GENÈVE, COMPAX, REF. 22'430, MOVEMENT NO. 260'470, CASE NO. 1'193'779, MANUFACTURED IN 1945

Closed10 November 2014

Price Realised

CHF 28,750

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Universal. A highly rare and unusual oversized stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with two-toned silvered dial
Signed Universal, Genève, Compax, ref. 22'430, movement no. 260'470, case no. 1'193'779, manufactured in 1945
Cal. 292 mechanical movement, 17 jewels, two-toned silvered dial, dot and Arabic numerals, outer blue tachymetre scale, three subsidiary dials indicating constant seconds, three engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours registers, large circular case, extended faceted lugs, snap on back, two rectangular chronograph buttons in the band, case, dial and movement signed
46 mm. diam.

Specialist note

With Universal original Certificate dated 27 June 2014 confirming production of the present watch in 1945.

This "Compax" chronograph impresses with its close to new old stock overall condition, the immaculate two-tone silvered dial and the extremely well preserved case. Of very large size, featuring an hour and minute register and a tachymetre scale, it represents the perfect requirements for an aviator's wristwatch.

The "Compax" was introduced in 1935, the world's first chronograph wristwatch with hour and minute registers, particularly appreciated by members of armed forces. The models were available in different case materials and forms and a variety of dial layouts.

For a black and white archival image of a reference 22430 "Compax" chronograph see Universal Watch Genève by Pietro Giuliano Sala, p. 380.