Universal Geneve Uni-Compax – Big Eye – Ref 884100/01 – 1960’s – Cal 125 - Stainless Steel

Universal Geneve Uni-Compax – Big Eye – Ref 884100/01 – 1960’s – Cal 125 - Stainless Steel

Beautiful Universal Uni-Compax with reference 884100/01, also known as the Big Eye in the world of collectors, in stainless steel with a round back dial and two sub dials. A big sub-dial at 3 o’clock for the minutes which gives a new aesthetic dimension to the watch and the classic size at 9 o’clock for the seconds. At 12 o’clock is engraved “Universal Geneve” and at 6 o’clock “Uni Compax”. Also comes red cross lines that are part of the charm of this dial. Each hour is marked with a baton and there is an outer light gray tachymeter graduated up to 1000. The hands are in steel with “Obelisque” design. It is a plexi crystal with a few marks. Pushers are round and typical from this 60’s period. It is a screwed back case with engraved inside “Universal Geneve – Swiss – Acier Inoxydable”. The watch has a manual winding movement with caliber 125 and 17 jewels. The watch comes with a suede gray leather strap. Width between lugs is 20mm. The particularity of this watch was its very limited production which makes it rare.

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

This Universal Geneve has a mechanical manual winding caliber 125 (Valjoux 23) beating at a rate of 18,000A/h. It is constructed with 17 jewels.

Measurements

Diameter excluding winding crow: 37mm

Length including lugs: 43mm