Why We Love It

Universal Geneve is a brand that you either know or don't. Their esteemed reputation can be attributed to their complicated chronographs produced in the 50s and 60s. Collectors appreciate the Compax line for their well proportioned designs and interesting history.

The 37mm stainless steel case features a silver sunburst dial with remarkable navy blue sub-dials that match the outer bezel. Included is the iconic and comfortable JB champion signed bracelet. 

In the market for a clean and sporty chronograph? Universal Geneve is one of the first brands you should seriously consider. And for under $5k, you really can't beat it. 

The Story

Universal Genéve has become synonymous with chronographs. In the last decade, the demand for their vintage models has risen sharply, with some examples making world record appearances on the auction circuits. Surely, Universal Genève is a staple of vintage collecting.

The 1940s to the 1960s were in many ways the golden years of chronograph production for Universal Genève. The timepieces produced during this period (in particular the "" Compax and the "" Tri-Compax) have attracted the attention and admiration of collectors. So in the 1990s, when Universal Genève wanted to commemorate its centennial, a chronograph espousing similar design language seemed a natural choice.

Already a stunning sports watch, the original Panda Dial Compax of the 1960s was catapulted into the collector's periphery after it became closely associated with famous model Nina Rindt, née Lincoln, who married the legendary Formula One driver Jochen Rindt in 1967. We're certain that this version of the Compax would have become a classic with or without Nina Rindt, due to its brilliant design and similarities to the Omega Speedmaster, Roled Daytona, and Heuer Carrera, but when the ever-stylish Nina Rindt put her white-and-black Compax on a leather Bundeswehr strap and wore it to one of Jochen's races, she unknowingly created a juggernaut that still has collectors hungry for more.