FS: Late 1960s Vintage Universal Geneve "Tri-Compax"

[tomvox1]

Up for sale is this very rare late-1960s Universal Geneve “Tri-Compax” Triple Date Moonphase chronograph in desirable Speedmaster-style case and featuring their own legendary in-house caliber 281 column wheel chronograph movement. This hard-to-find Tri-Compax has an absolutely Near Mint and all-original black dial with white subregisters and comes on its original signed Gay Freres bracelet. The sporty twisted lug case with Tachymeter bezel is the most desirable of the Tri-Compaxes and was only produced for a few years in the late 60s and early 70s. This great example is in overall Excellent vintage condition and all its many functions are operating properly.

The asking price for this classic and scarce Vintage Universal Geneve "Tri-Compax" rarity is $6,550 USD including fully insured worldwide shipping. Bank Wire only on this transaction. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting.

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CASE & CASEBACK: Rugged and sporty stainless steel twisted lug case measure about 36.5mm to the edge of the Tachymeter bezel by 45mm from lug tip to lug tip. The case looks to have been only very lightly polished through its life, if at all, and has only minor marks, easily Excellent+ condition. Outer screwed caseback shows Universal nomenclature but also some tool marks and dings, as is so common with these polygon-style waterproof backs, merely Good to Very Good cosmetic condition but no personalized engraving. The inner caseback has all correct UG period hallmarks and is corrosion free.

DIAL & HANDS: Beautiful original black dial with clean white subregisters and all original factory printing crisp and intact. The original tritium lume dots have a lovely patina and are all intact with the exception of the loss of some of the "domed" shape to the plots at "2" and "4," hence my grading of Near Mint. If not for my tough standards it would be easy to cal this beautiful dial Mint. White engine turned subregisters for constant seconds, hour and minute recorders and day of the week; apertures for the day and month (printed in red and in English), as well as the phases of the Moon--such a cool and complex layout! Characteristic Universal Geneve blunt "Alpha" hour and minute hands are Excellent, showing just a bit of their age, and have a slightly lighter tint to their luminous fill but it too appears original. The high visibility red baton sweep seconds and black chrono & date register hands are all Mint.

CROWN & PUSHERS: Oversized signed Universal winding crown and "large head" pushers are Near Mint. The crown winds and pulls out to the time-setting position as it should. The top pusher stops and starts the chronograph as it should and the bottom pusher resets all chrono registers to zero. On the non-crown side, the 3 quick set pushers for the calendar functions all sit flush to the case as designed.

BEZEL: Wonderful original black metal Tachymeter bezel insert has a couple of nicks near "60" but no fading and is easily Very Good to Excellent and the steel pressure-fit bezel itself is Excellent to Near Mint with no real nicks or dings.

CRYSTAL: Low domed acrylic crystal appears to be period correct and has only minor marks/scuffs, easily Excellent.

MOVEMENT: Legendary in house Universal Geneve caliber 281 manual wind column wheel chronograph movement with calendar and moonphase complications. Although the service history is unknown, the many functions of this watch are operating as designed, with the only finicky aspect being that the quickset date pusher will sometimes stop advancing the date after several jumps. However, it is easily re-activated by spinning the hands through the 24-hour cycle manually (and of course, if you keep it wound, you won't have to worry about it either way ;)). Otherwise, everything--chronograph, complete calendar, quickset functions and timekeeping--is operating perfectly. While I do not know the service history of this great watch and so cannot guarantee that it will not need a service in future, I do guarantee that all functions will be operating as they should upon shipment.

BRACELET: This great Tri-Compax comes on an equally rare original Universal-signed Gay Freres bracelet date coded “1 67” in Excellent condition with essentially no stretch and only superficial scratches to the bracelet and logo clasp. It is quite long and should fit up to an 7 3/4" wrist and maybe even up to 8". Endpieces are correct and matching 19mm “UW”s.

I make NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch in any way, shape or form due to its age and the dodgy water resistance of most vintage chronos in general.

This all-time classic Universal Geneve "Tri-Compax" is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer. This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
[email protected]

[tomvox1]

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