Universal Genève Compax Ref. 12236 - Retailed by Henrique Pfeffer, Caracas LNOS w/ Hangtag

Universal Genève was one of the many great brands that succumbed to the quartz crisis of the 1970s. While they disappeared, it was not for their lack of impressive watches. To underscore that fact, keep in mind that Henri Stern Watch Agency in their nearly 80-year history has only ever sold two brands: Patek Philippe, and Universal Genève.

The piece that we have here hails from the early 1940s — a time when the world was at war. Far simpler than their perhaps more well-known high complication ‘Tri-Compax,' this piece comes from the long-running family of 'Compax' watches, which it shares its name with. Some of which were produced with specific use-cases in mind (e.g., Film-Compax, Medico-Compax, Dato-Compax, etc.), in different metals, sizes, etc., with this piece being a relatively straightforward three-register chronograph.

Crafted out of solid rose gold, this Ref. 12236 is quite simply the finest we have ever seen and remains in like-new-old-stock condition. Dating to circa 1941, it features a 33.5mm case with square pushers, a rose gold crown, and a snapback case design. Inside, the dial is also pink in color, with a three-register chronograph layout, applied rose gold indices, rose gold hour and minute hands, and a blued-steel chronograph handset. It comes fitted on a brown leather strap with the original 'AW' rose gold tone buckle, and even its original hangtag.

The overall condition, as we've alluded to, is as close to new-old-stock as one could ever hope to find. The factory case finishing is clear and present throughout, with only faint handling wear visible. The dial within is virtually flawless.

Once more, this particular example bears an additional signature on the dial just below "Universal" that reads "Henrique Pfeffer Caracas", denoting that this was originally retailed in Venezuela.

Examples in this kind of condition simply do not surface on the open market all that often... and with the recent re-launch of the brand, collectors seem to be holding on to pieces like this, making for a great opportunity to grab this one.