Rare Girard Perregaux Moon Phase Tri-Compax 14k Gold c.1940s

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The Compax line of chronographs is one of Universal Geneve's most iconic. The Compax is said to have been introduced circa 1935, and it is known to have as many as 185 references throughout its history, often with multiple variants within each reference. 

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Today's example is a rare Girard Perregaux branded Tri-Compax, dating from the 1940s.  This watch was manufactured by Universal Geneve for Girard Perregaux. Girard Perregaux despite being a famous watch manufacturer did not develop chronograph movements. In order to have chronographs in their range, they relied mainly on Universal Geneve, for the production. During the same period and in the same spirit, Universal Geneve manufactured chronographs for other famous brands such as Jaeger LeCoultre, Eberhard, Vacheron & Constantin and Zenith.

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For many years, the Tri-Compax has become one of the most collectable vintage models out there, loved for its complicated movement. It features a chronograph, a triple calendar and a moon phase, laid out in four subdials on the dial and powered by the in-house Universal Geneve Cal. 287. At 12 o’clock you have the day of the month with the moonphase within, with the chronograph minute and hour counter and running seconds beneath. Two apertures at 2 and 10 o’clock display the month and day respectively and it is topped off with a silvered tachymeter scale and sword hands.

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View this Universal Perregaux in a video: here

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The Specs