Live Auction 1413Rare Watches Including Important Private Collections
Universal. A rare and unusual stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with pulsation dial
Lot 215

Universal. A rare and unusual stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with pulsation dial

Signed Universal, Genève, Medico-Compax, ref. 32422, case no. 1'495'793, manufactured in 1951

Closed16 May 2016

Price Realised

CHF 5,250

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Universal. A rare and unusual stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with pulsation dial
Signed Universal, Genève, Medico-Compax, ref. 32422, case no. 1'495'793, manufactured in 1951
Cal. 285 mechanical movement, 17 jewels, silvered dial, Arabic and baton numerals, outer five minute divisions and pulsometer scale graduated for 15 pulsations, divisions gradually increasing in size, two sunken engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 45 minutes registers, circular case, snap on back, two rectangular chronograph buttons in the band, stainless steel buckle, case, dial and movement signed
34.5 mm. diam.

Specialist note

With period Universal sales tag.

According to the Archives of Universal, the present watch was manufactured in 1951. An unusual and fascinating example of the Universal Medico-Compax, it is offered in "new old stock" condition.
Made during a short period of time in the mid-1940s, the model was specifically created for medical use, allowing a physician to take a fast and accurate reading of a patients pulse.
Other examples of different Medico-Compax chronograph wristwatches are illustrated in Universal Watch Genève by Pietro Giuliano Sala, pp. 215 - 224, including archival images and a period publicity.