Live Auction 1417Rare Watches Including Nautilus 40 Part II
Universal. A fine and extremely attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black military-style dial
Lot 220

Universal. A fine and extremely attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black military-style dial

Signed Universal, Genève, Compur 30, serial no. 804'942, case no. 22'409, manufactured in 1941

Closed14 November 2016

Price Realised

CHF 12,500

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Universal. A fine and extremely attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black military-style dial
Signed Universal, Genève, Compur 30, serial no. 804'942, case no. 22'409, manufactured in 1941
MOVEMENT: manual, cal. 386, jeweled
DIAL: black, gloss, luminous Arabic numerals, luminous hands, outer fifth of a second combined with Arabic five minutes divisions, two sunken engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 45 minutes retgister
CASE: stainless steel, sloped bezel, faceted lugs, screw back, two round chronograph buttons in the band, 38 mm.
SIGNED: case, dial and movement
ACCOMPANIED BY: Universal Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1941 in its current configuration

Specialist note

The present timepiece is blessed with a military-style dial, characterized, by black finish, luminous full Arabic numerals and broad hands. These three elements work together to ensure optimal readability in all condition, and the very large-for-the-time 38 mm. size further eases time reading – and grants this watch a very modern appeal. Furthermore, the black dial presents a glossy finish: a highly attractive detail, and much less common than the matte finish.

As a matter of fact, some examples of this model were supplied to the German Aviation Ministry, to be used by navigators and observers of the Luftwaffe.