Universal Geneve Tri-Compax Moonphase

Why We Love It

Featuring a full calendar plus a moonphase complication, the Tri-Compax was one of the most advanced chronograph wristwatches of the era, and certainly one of the highest quality. It’s no coincidence that the U.S. distributor for UG was the Henri Stern Watch Agency. And what was the sole other brand distributed by H. Stern? That would be Patek Philippe. 

This example of the Tri-Compax, Reference 22297, dates to the early 1950s and features a stunningly crisp steel case with a silver-toned dial, lightly patinated to a beautiful cream color and accented by luminescent dart indices. With four subsidiary registers, moonphase display, and two calendar apertures, the watch sounds on paper like it would have an overly busy dial, but the beauty of the Tri-Comapx is how aesthetically pleasing and legible a watch it is. Instead of coming off as a busy mess, the Tri-Compax is a gorgeous example of mid-century watch design, and its style holds up better then most from the era.

The Story

Universal’s later Compax sport models, like the Nina Rindt (HERE) and Evil Nina (HERE), have spiked in value and received more than their fair share of attention recently, but as any vintage chronograph nerd will tell you, the Tri-Compax Moonphase is UG’s true flagship model. The in-house, manually-wound Calibre 281 chronograph movement was a great achievement for UG, especially when most of their competitors relied on outsourced movements for their watches. With few exceptions, the Tri-Compax caliber was just about as fine a chronograph as consumers could buy at the time, and that’s in no small part why they’ve become so highly collectible today.

If you’re a chronograph fan, its incumbent upon you to have a Tri-Compax in your collection. Given UG’s ascent to the upper tiers of collectability, it is getting harder to find honest original examples, but that's just what we've managed to do here.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.