Universal introduced its famous “Compax” chronograph family in 1935, the world’s first chronograph wristwatch made in series with minute and hour registers. Universal successfully modernized its chronograph production over the next 40 years, and introduced a number of variants with specific additional functions considering market needs (for example - pilots, doctors, and engineers).

This oversized Compax boasts an impressive 46mm diameter, most likely intended for pilots. The large dial size allows for easy legibility of the luminous hour markers and hands.

Most often seen with silver dials, the present lot’s black dial is extremely rare. It has developed a lovely and uniform “tropical” color, resembling an attractive dark espresso shade of brown. These large Compax models were fitted with caliber 292, and usually paired with an adjustable strap to fit over a pilot’s jacket while flying.

With its captivating “tropical” dial, but also its superb ability to be worn daily, the present Compax has the timeless aesthetics of a 1940s chronograph. Paired with a very high degree of rarity, it is an extraordinary example of a Universal chronograph for the discerning collector.