Universal Genève Medico Compax

Universal Genève built its reputation on the chronograph. During the 1930s and ’40s, the manufacture developed an extraordinary assortment of purpose-built wrist chronographs, creating watches for pilots, motorists, athletes—and, in the case of the Medico-Compax, the medical profession.

Dating to the 1940s, this Medico-Compax Reference 22517 is a particularly beautiful example. Its 37mm stainless steel case is generously sized for the period, with pump pushers and sharply defined lugs framing a wonderfully elaborate silver dial. Two snailed registers sit at 3:00 and 9:00, while applied Arabic numerals and elegant blued hands provide an appealing mixture of refinement and legibility.

The defining feature, however, is the pulsations scale encircling the dial. Rather than a conventional tachymeter, the Medico-Compax was calibrated to allow a doctor to determine a patient’s heart rate quickly. Start the chronograph, count 15 heartbeats, stop it, and the central chronograph hand indicates the corresponding pulse rate directly on the scale. “GRADUÉ POUR 15 PULSATIONS” printed prominently along the perimeter makes the watch’s intended purpose delightfully explicit.

Inside is a manually wound Universal Genève chronograph movement, continuing the manufacture’s celebrated tradition of producing sophisticated chronographs during one of its most important periods.

With box and signed steel pin buckle, there is something especially appealing about complications created to solve highly specific problems, and the Medico-Compax may be one of the best examples. Its medical functionality is fascinating, but even removed from its original professional context, this is simply an exceptionally handsome vintage chronograph.

At 36mm in steel, with its beautifully balanced two-register dial, blued hands, and wonderfully specialized pulsometer scale, this Reference 22517 represents Universal Genève doing what it did best: turning a serious instrument into an extraordinarily elegant wristwatch.

Universal Genève was founded in 1894 by Numa-Emile Descombes and Ulysse Georges Perret, establishing itself early on as a manufacturer of high-quality in-house movements and one of the first Swiss firms to embrace the wristwatch as a serious horological platform.

A pivotal moment came in 1897 when Louis Eduoard Berthoud, a gifted designer of complicated movements, joined the company. Under his technical leadership, Universal Genève became one of the foremost innovators in chronograph development during the 20th century. The brand's celebrated Compur and Compax chronographs earned a devoted following among aviators, military personnel, and collectors, while the Royal Family of the Netherlands granted Universal Genève a royal charter to supply chronographs to the Dutch military.

Beyond its technical achievements, Universal Genève developed a reputation for creating some of the most elegant and influential watches of the mid-century era. From the purpose-built Polerouter—designed by a young Gérald Genta—to refined dress watches such as the Cabriolet and Golden Shadow, the brand combined mechanical innovation with a distinctive sense of style that continues to resonate with collectors today.

Following decades of dormancy, Universal Genève was officially relaunched in 2026 under the stewardship of Georges Kern and the House of Brands Group. The revival marks the return of one of Swiss watchmaking's most revered names, a manufacture whose historic contributions to chronographs, micro-rotor movements, and modern watch design have secured its place among the great maisons of horological history. Vintage Universal Genève watches remain highly sought after, celebrated by collectors, historians, and enthusiasts for their enduring craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless appeal.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.