UNIVERSAL GENÈVE Tri-Compax 14K Solid Gold ref.52216 / 1940s

The Universal Genève Tri-Compax.

A fine piece written into watch history.

Born in the 1940s, it is the legendary watch that reigns at the top of the brand.

Chronograph, triple calendar, moonphase.

Fitting those complications superbly into a small 34mm case, its fine design is the crystallisation of a craftsman's pride and confidence.

Detail handed down across the decades.

An early period without water resistance, a middle period with water resistance and an inner scale, a late period using an outer bezel.

It evolved to suit each era, and the early models in particular had such a range of dials and cases that examples with identical details are almost impossible to find — a strongly one-off quality.

Whatever the differences in detail, they divide broadly into the non-water-resistant early period, the water-resistant middle period with an inner scale, and the late period with an outer bezel.

Early models have a considerable range of dials and cases, and because the production runs were so small, examples with exactly the same details are almost never seen — a strongly one-off model.

A dial condition close to a miracle.

A beauty that shines across the years.

Hand-painted dials burn and deteriorate easily, and yet this example keeps an original condition that can fairly be called miraculous.

Art Deco numerals with leaf hands.

A rounded cylindrical case.

A spider lug design gives a soft impression, and its bearing has been raised from that of a watch into something that wears history.

A value handed down across the decades.

Please take it in your hand and see.

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