Universal Genève 'Compax With Airplane'

'Compax With Airplane' If that name doesn't ring a bell, it will soon. With the recently announced news that Breitling has purchased (and will soon revive) Universal Genève, enthusiasts around the world are excitedly gearing up for the next chapter in a long and storied history of fine horology. From the Polerouter to the Tri-Compax, UG's wares have long served as the entry point for many into the watch-collecting hobby, and it't not difficult to see why: Their beautiful dials, excellent build quality, and purposeful designs made them a household name in the mid-20th century. Universal Genève's chronographs — such as the Compax line, pictured here — are particularly beloved by enthusiasts and dedicated collectors alike. Launched in the 1930s, the Compax collection held a wide variety of chronographs in various configurations, from simple two- and three-register models to complicated versions bearing calendars and moon phase indicators. This beautifully drawn advertisement from 1948 rec