Rare vintage oversized 37mm 18k Yellow Gold UNIVERSAL GENEVE “Tri-Compax” manual winding triple date wristwatch, Ref. 12552, Cal. 287, made circa 1945, featuring full calendar, moon phase and of course the chronograph. Original unrestored silver dial has vintage patina matching its age. The watch is paired with vintage NOS blue leather strap with its original UG gold plated buckle to complete the look.
Universal Genève advertised the Tri-Compax as being useful for “every business and professional man.”, ever since its debut in the 1944, it’s been worn by everyone from presidents (Harry S. Truman) to rock stars (Eric Clapton).
C. Three-body, solid 18k Yellow Gold, polished, concave lugs, inset calendar adjusters to the band, snap-on-case back. D. Matte silver with applied yellow gold dart indexes, subsidiary guilloche dials for the date, the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, outer tachometer graduation, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Blued steel feuille hands. M. Cal. 287, frosted gilt, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36.5 mm. Thickness 13 mm.
Watch runs great and all functions work as expected. Please take a look at the photos for the condition. Case measures 37mm (excluding the crown). Age related condition with corresponding traces of wear.