Universal. A very rare, large and attractive 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with multi-scale dial

On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT wil… Read more

The Property of an Important European Private Collector

Universal. A very rare, large and attractive 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with multi-scale dial

Signed Universal, Genève, Climate-Proof, Compax, ref. 124'113, case no. 1’573’424, manufactured in 1952

Details

Universal. A very rare, large and attractive 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with multi-scale dial
Signed Universal, Genève, Climate-Proof, Compax, ref. 124'113, case no. 1’573’424, manufactured in 1952
MOVEMENT: manual, cal. 285, 17 jewels, metal dust cover
DIAL: silvered, applied dagger and Arabic numerals, fifth of a second combined with Arabic five minutes divisions, red telemetre scale, outer tachymetre scale graduated to 1000 UPH, three sunken engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 12 hours and 30 minutes registers
CASE: 18K gold, sloped bezel, downturned lugs, snap on back, two round chronograph buttons in the band, 37.5 mm. diam.
SIGNED: case, dial and movement
BUCKLE: gold plated Universal buckle
ACCOMPANIED BY: Universal Genève Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1952 in its present configuration

Special Notice

On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 8% on both the premium as well as the hammer price. Many of the watches offered for sale in this catalogue are pictured with straps made of endangered or protected animal materials such as alligator or crocodile. These endangered species straps are shown for display purposes only and are not for sale. Christie’s will remove and retain the strap prior to shipment from the sale site. At some sale sites, Christie’s may, at its discretion, make the displayed endangered species strap available to the buyer of the lot free of charge if collected in person from the sale site within 1 year of the date of the sale. Please check with the department for details on a particular lot.

Sale Room Notice

Please note the reference of the present watch is ref. 124'113 and not 123'113 as written in the printed catalogue.

Lot Essay

The present Compax chronograph is a rare example of Universal's "Climate-proof" model, as confirmed in the accompanying certificate.

The “Climate-proof” system was developed by Universal in the aim of creating a watch resisting to different weather conditions. The case construction consists of water-resistant-type round chronograph pusher and a metal dust cap underneath the snap on back made of a special alloy to withstand weather changes.

Consigned by a private collector the watch is in extremely well preserved condition. With its large 37.5 mm. diameter and the attractive multi-scale dial, it is a very attractive, wearable and collectible example of Universal's mid-century production.

Another pink gold example of the "Climate-proof" Compax ref. 123113 model is prominently illustrated and described in Universal Watch Genève by Pietro Giuliano Sala, p. 278.

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