Universal Genève Tricompax
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Why We Love it
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Why We Love it
–We don’t blame you if you weren’t familiar with UG before first seeing them on Hodinkee’s Instagram feed. One of the most unfortunate “dead brands”, UG was once one of Switzerland’s best manufactures, producing many classics, but best perhaps known for their Tri-Compax chronographs.
Feautring a full calendar plus a moonphase complication, the Tri-Compax was one of the most advanced chronograph wristwatches of the era, and certainly one of the highest quality. It’s no coincidence that the U.S. distributor for UG was the Henri Stern Watch Agency. And what was the sole other brand distributed by H.Stern? That would be Patek Philippe.
This example of the Tri-Compax is from one of the earliest generations of the watch, and features a handsome gold-plated case with a white dial, accented by Arabic numerals and dart indices. With four sub-registers and two calendar apertures, the watch sounds on paper like it would have an overly busy dial, but the beauty of the Tri-Comapx is how aesthetically pleasing and legible a watch it is. Instead of coming off as a busy mess, the Tri-Compax is a gorgeous example of mid-century watch design, and its style holds up better then most from the era.
Universal’s later Compax sport models, like the Nina Rindt (HERE) and Evil Nina (HERE), have spiked in value and received more than their fair share of attention recently, but as any vintage nerd will tell you, the Tri-Compax is UG’s true flagship model. The in-house, manually-wound chronograph movement was a great achievement for UG, especially when most of their competitors relied on outsourced movements for their watches. With few exceptions, the Tri-Compax caliber was just about as fine a chronograph as consumers could buy at the time, and that’s in no small part why they’ve become so highly collectible today.
If you’re a chronograph fan, its incumbent upon you to have a Tri-Compax in your collection. Given UG’s ascent to the upper tiers of collectability, now’s the time to grab one before prices get too out of hand.
A:S Guarantee
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A:S Guarantee
+Our Pledge
Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.
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 one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.
International Buyers
Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
Shipping & Returns
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Shipping & Returns
+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.
Universal Genève Tricompax
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- Sold