Hermès 'Presents The Universal Genève Compax'

Hermès presents the Compax

Nothing excites the watch collector quite like a double-signed dial.

Common throughout the 20th century (and much less common today), the presence of a retailer signature adds significantly to both the value and historical interest of a watch. Back in the 1930s when this ad was produced, none other than Hermès was a distributor of Swiss watchmaker Universal Genève — a fact that led to beautiful, double-signed dials on famous models such as the Compax line of chronographs.

This incredible bit of advertising history dating to 1938 is not only incredibly well preserved, but represents a time long past: In the page's center we view a triple-register, hand-wound Compax chronograph signed with the Hermès wordmark, the description below explaining its technical specifications: Minute recorder, hour recorder, 1/5th-seconds track, tachymeter scale for tracking speeds up to 400km, optional pulsometer scale, and more. 

Securing a watch like this today would attract the interest of major auction houses. But back on the eve of the Second World War, a good client could walk into Hermès on the Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré and walk out with one. Incredible!

This ad is custom framed in a 15 1/2” x 19” rustic wood frame with a cherry finish. It features a custom-measured, hand-cut 4-ply matte in Hèrmes-inspired orange, complimenting all the ad tones. Every material used is acid-free and the glass is anti-reflective and offers UV-protection to keep this precious ad preserved no matter where you decide to hang it up. Speaking of which, hanging your newly purchased ad is a seamless task, as this particular frame comes with an additional hanging wire and felt pads for wall protection.

In gorgeous condition, this terrific ad is an encapsulation of everything we love about the early, golden age of chronographs. Display it proudly amongst your other horological ephemera to signal your love for the finer things in life!

About our collaboration with Ad Patina

We're thrilled to be collaborating once again with our longtime friend Nick at Ad Patina to bring you a selection of the most-popular and hard to find original vintage magazine advertisements curated specifically for Analog:Shift!

Scouring the world for forgotten marketing treasures, Ad Patina's raison de être very much mimics our own - to hunt down these wonderful bits of history, preserve and restore them as needed, and share them with an enthusiastic community.

These documents of horological and advertising history have entered the collecting conversation as the ultimate accompanying accessory to go along with hobbies and passions. They have found themselves framed in homes and offices around the world.

Every one of these wonderful pieces is a genuine, vintage advertisement that has been professionally framed to ensure years of enjoyment to come - no reprints or reproductions here!

Much like a traditional piece of art - a painting or photograph - an original advertisement can be appreciated for its design as well as for its power to evoke nostalgia. Something vintage enthusiasts know all about!

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.