Contemporary, Limited Edition and Col...

New York, Grand Havana Room, May 13, 1999

LOT 105

Universal Geneve, Golden Compax 1950, No. 00, Ref. 184.450 "Prestige", made in 1994. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with round button chronograph and registers, 50 hours power reserve, leather strap and 18K gold Universal buckle and wooden fitted box and certificate.

USD 2,800 - 3,200

C. three body, massive, polished, satine, transparent screwed case back. D. beige with applied gold indexes + auxiliary "guilloche" brown dials for the seconds, the 12 hours and 30 minutes registers, and the number 00. M. 13"' rhodium plated, "fausses cotes°" decoration, 17 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, selfcompensating flat balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 34 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: *2

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch No. 00 is part of a limited edition of 99 examples produced to celebrate the centennial of Universal Geneve. This model is different from the other "1950 Compax" series chronographs, it has a porthole case back with a mineral glass that allows to see the mechanical movement with manual winding. The first double button chronograph made in 1934 by Universal Geneve replaced the single button chronograph that could not calculate relative information under close observation. Its creation was very important for the watchmaking industry, followed some years later by the announcement of the numerous Compax chronographs, like the glorious Tri-Compax model with complete calendar, or the Aerocompax, famous for its use by the pilots of the S.A.S. during the inauguration flight to the North Pole. The Compax 1950, created to celebrate the company ' s centennial, is a new edition of this historical collection.