This reference 890100/01 is from the late 1960s which is the golden age of chronographs. The dial features a large and legible 24-hour scale instead of a second time register, as seen in earlier examples. The rotating bezel also features a 24-hour scale and doubles up this function, allowing the wearer to track a second time zone. Universal Genève did not produce their own movement with 24 hour functionally and therefore used a base Venus calibre 178, same as those used in early Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute models. This modified Venus movement, UG calibre 90, was used to accommodate for the 24-hour display and unusual 15-minute register (a feature that conveniently co-insides with the duration of pre-flight take-off checks). This UG Aero-Compax ref. 890100/01 sports a large 41mm steel case, which is not only comfortable on the wrist but affords the wearer full legibility at a glance.

Overall, not only this is this a very rare UG model, it is also a excellent example. The original dial and hands have a really unique design and remain in excellent condition. The case is still sharp with the serial and reference numbers still legible on the case back. The movement is clean and fully functioning.

Universal introduced its famous “Compax” chronograph family in 1935 and was one of the earliest chronograph wristwatches made that included both minute and hour registers. Universal successfully modernised its chronograph production over the next 40 years, and introduced a number of variants with specific additional functions pending the markets needs, creating a number of different “Compax” variants, such as the Uni-Compax, Tri-Compax and Aero-Compax.