Manufacturer: Universal Year: 1946 Reference No: 21'312 Movement No: 219'478 Case No: 1'318'956 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. UG 291, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Universal pin buckle Dimensions: 34mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and pin buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Universal Genève Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in 1946.
Catalogue Essay
In 1917, Perret & Berthoud, which would become Universal Genève in the mid 30’s, launched its first chronograph wristwatch.
A complete family of chronographs would follow under the name "Compax". However, Universal Genève did not only produce chronographs - it also had an exclusive collection of calendar watches, like the present one. This triple calendar displays the day in a window at 12 o’clock, and the month, the date and the moonphases in the subdials.
Despite the amount of "information" on the dial, this watch remains highly legible thanks to its very large dial. Preserved in mint condition, this so-called "new-old-stock" is a gem, with very attractive claw lugs that should seduce the new collectors and savvy ones alike.
Universal Genève was founded in Le Locle, Switzerland in 1894 and was originally known as "Universal Watch." Since its inception, Universal Genève has produced watches with unusually high quality for their price point. Universal was among the first brands to introduce a chronograph wristwatch.
Today, the firm's vintage models are highly sought-after and desired for their oversized cases and interesting dial designs. Key models include a variety of "Compax" models such as the "Nina Rindt" or "Evil Nina," the Uni-Compax, the Space-Compax, the Aero-Compax and the Film-Compax.