Description:
UNIVERSAL GENEVE COMPAX OVERSIZE REF. 22430
The first Compax Universal Watch wristwatch chronograph was developed around in mid 30’s and launched in 1936. It featured two fundamental innovations: the double pushers for chronograph start stop and reset and the chronograph hour counter, which made possible to go beyond the 30- or 45-minute limit and was added to the continuous seconds and chronograph minutes on a 30- or 45-minute scale. The Compax model was an extraordinary success, and Universal built on it to develop other models that became true icons, such as the Tricompax and the Aerocompax. The Universal Compax has been produced in numerous versions over the years in both gold and steel. Most sought after are the models with large cases, the so-called oversize models, like this example, reference 22430. Reference 22430 is often referred to as “Goering” because the Nazi leader owned an identical one for years before trading it for food and amenities in prison after the fall of the Nazi regime.
The present Universal Geneve ref. 22430 is an exceptional example of this extremely rare reference. Coming with an astonishing 46mm case diameter this UG is for sure one of the boldest and largest Compax models manufactured by Universal. The present UG 22430 is equipped with a silver dial with radium hands and indexes, 292 caliber, 3 pieces stainless steel case. The overall condition is exceptional, case is most likely unpolished, dial shows no signs of aging at all, caseback closes perfectly, movement works flawlessy.
Serial Number 1,183,XXX, Year early 40’s, diameter 46mm.