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Lot Essay
The present Compax model was clearly part of Universal Genève's response to other popular chronographs during the 1960s such as the OMEGA Speedmaster and Rolex Daytona.
This attractive “inverse panda" (black dial with white or silver registers) chronograph is appealing because of its style aesthetics, that are associated with vintage chronographs such as the Rolex Daytona. What makes it particularly interesting is that this took the famous Tri-Compax model and placed it in a more rugged and sports-oriented case. The Tri-Compax model notably had three sets of complications: 1. a chronograph including minute and hour register; 2. a complete calendar showing day, date, month; and 3. the moon phase. These three complications are why it received the “Tri” designation before “Compax”.
The opposite version of this watch, the “panda” dial reference, was famously worn by Eric Clapton during his time playing the band Cream. Likewise, Universal Genève made a “Compax” version with simply a chronograph that is now nicknamed the “Nina Rindt” as it was worn by the wife of the late racing driver Jochen Rindt. Collectors in recent years have called this inverse version the “Evil Nina” as a result of its black dial with white registers and red accents.
The bezel of this watch features a black aluminum insert with a tachymeter printed on it and the notable “Dot Over 90” or “DON” feature found on the slightly larger bezels from OMEGA Speedmaster chronographs from that era.
This watch notably includes the original steel bracelet made by Gay Frères, which is a rare find for collectors.
Interest in 1960s-era Universal Genève chronographs continues to grow rapidly and the present is a rare opportunity to get one of these iconic watches in original, unpolished condition with the rare original bracelet.
This attractive “inverse panda" (black dial with white or silver registers) chronograph is appealing because of its style aesthetics, that are associated with vintage chronographs such as the Rolex Daytona. What makes it particularly interesting is that this took the famous Tri-Compax model and placed it in a more rugged and sports-oriented case. The Tri-Compax model notably had three sets of complications: 1. a chronograph including minute and hour register; 2. a complete calendar showing day, date, month; and 3. the moon phase. These three complications are why it received the “Tri” designation before “Compax”.
The opposite version of this watch, the “panda” dial reference, was famously worn by Eric Clapton during his time playing the band Cream. Likewise, Universal Genève made a “Compax” version with simply a chronograph that is now nicknamed the “Nina Rindt” as it was worn by the wife of the late racing driver Jochen Rindt. Collectors in recent years have called this inverse version the “Evil Nina” as a result of its black dial with white registers and red accents.
The bezel of this watch features a black aluminum insert with a tachymeter printed on it and the notable “Dot Over 90” or “DON” feature found on the slightly larger bezels from OMEGA Speedmaster chronographs from that era.
This watch notably includes the original steel bracelet made by Gay Frères, which is a rare find for collectors.
Interest in 1960s-era Universal Genève chronographs continues to grow rapidly and the present is a rare opportunity to get one of these iconic watches in original, unpolished condition with the rare original bracelet.