Universal Genève, Tri-Compax, Ref. 22279. Made in 1950s. Fine, manual-winding, stainless steel wristwatch with square button chronograph, registers, triple date and moon phases.
Case: Three-body, polished and brushed, concave lugs, inclined bezel, snap-on case back.
Dial: Brushed silver with luminous Arabic numeral and dot indexes, outer minutes and 1/5th seconds track, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12- hour and 30-minute registers, date at 12, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Dauphine hands.
Movement: Cal.481, gilt brass, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance with screws, blued steel over-coiled balance spring, index regulator.
Circa 1950's
Diameter: 36.5mm Thickness: 12mm
More about Universal Genève:
Universal Geneve produced the Tri-Compax model from the 1940s to the 1960s. The watch that would become the crown jewel of Universal Geneve's chronographs came in multifarious sizes, with varying dial and hand configurations. The present watch, a mid-sized version in 14k yellow gold, features a red hand for the date. Another detail which sets it apart from its predecessors: the lack of a face on the moon.
The Tri-Compax was fitted with three different calibers throughout its run. The present watch is an example of one with the gold-plated caliber 481, used in models between 34.5 and 36mm. The caliber 481 replaced the caliber 287, which lacked the shock protection found in later calibers, and was in its own turn phased out by the robust, compact caliber 281, which powers sportier versions of the Tri-Compax.
Universal Geneve enjoyed a reputation for exceptional quality and craftsmanship, being distributed by the Henry Stern Watch Agency in the US and Hermes in France. A recent resurgence in popularity only solidifies the reputation Universal Geneve earned during its heyday. The present watch, a handsome example of the iconic Tri-Compax, would make a fitting addition to any collection.
