Universal Geneve Uni-Compax – 18K YG - Cal 285 – 1950’s

Universal Geneve Uni-Compax – 18K YG - Cal 285 – 1950’s 

Beautiful Universal Uni-Compax with round light white/cream dial and two sub dials, 3 o’clock for minutes and 9 o’clock for seconds. At 12 o’clock is engraved “Universal Geneve” and at 6 o’clock “Uni Compax”. The watch has gold Arabic numerals for the hours. 2 outer black rings for the minutes and tachymeter graduated up to 1000. The hands are in gold with “Leaf” design. Pushers are rectangular and typical from this 50’s period. It is a 18K yellow gold back case with engraved inside “Universal Geneve – Swiss” and outside “.750 – 1159416 – 12445”. The watch has a manual winding movement with caliber 285 and 17 jewels. The watch comes with a brand-new black Camille Fournet alligator strap. Width between lugs is 20mm. Very nice collectible timepiece.

History

Numa Emile Descombes and Ulysse Georges Perret founded Universal Geneve in 1894. Their aim was to create complicated timepieces with movements manufactured in-house, something rather rare for the time. In 1917 Universal Geneve introduced the world's first wrist worn chronograph, which led to Universal's chronograph era. Throughout the 30's and 50's Universal manufactured some of the most iconic timepieces in the world. The introduction of the Compax, Aero-Compax, Tri-Compax, Polerouter and Microtor revolutionized the Swiss watch industry, garnering admirers in Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet. Universal was the first maker of a wristwatch with two chronograph pushers. In 1986 Montres Universal SA came under the wing of the Stelex Group.

Technical details

Universal Geneve mechanical manual winding movement with caliber 285 beating at a rate of 18,000A/h. It is constructed with 17 jewels. Power reserve is approximately 36 hours.

Measurements

Diameter excluding winding crown: 34.50mm


Length including lugs: 42mm