Watch Spotting: At An International Meetup For Universal Genève Collectors

Just around this time yesterday, I was landing back in New York after a 24-hour run to Geneva to do something I hadn't done in quite a while – hang out with a bunch of guys who love nothing more than Universal Genève. Yup – there was a modest gathering of some of the most passionate Universal collectors in the world in Switzerland on Tuesday. I was honored to be invited alongside some old friends and names you'd know well (Goldberger, Bernardini, E. Wind) and some others you might not, but you should (like him, him, and him). In all, there were about 30 of us, and the collection of watches was absolutely amazing. So, just like I did in November, I thought I'd bring my camera along and snap some photos. And, well, here they are.

A steel Polerouter remains one of the absolute best ways to get into watches.

Vintage gold on glossy black dial, in an early Genta design? Yes please.

The later Compax and Tri-Compax watches are fan favorites.

And there were more than a few in attendance.

This "exotic dial" Compax has always been one of my favorites – and it was actually one of the first Universals I bought way back when.

This is a watch I absolutely adore – the last Tri-Compax in the Universal catalog and one that is very 70s. This watch passed through the Hodinkee shop many years ago.

This is a lovely luminous Tri-Compax with tachymeter scale.

The Uni-Compax!

A 46mm Aviator's chronograph! With black dial! You really do not see these often – I've owned three 46mm Compax chronographs, but none were black dials.

A black dial Aero-Compax.

One of my longest-serving companions – a wonderful "Climate-Proof" Compax in gold.

This watch came from the original family and sold at Christie's in 2015. And yes, that's an Hermes signature!

And here's a steel-cased Hermes signed Compax! Seeing two Hermes-signed Universals in the same room? COOL.

What is likely the world's best Film Compax – one of the rarest individual models to come from the Universal catalog.

Space-Compax!

Polerouter Sub!

Not all great Universals have names – here's one of them.

This is a stunning rectangular case in steel – the "HPC" on the deal stands for "High Precision Chronometer."

Old, gold, Spillman. Tough to beat.

You don't see these very often.

Two absolute odd-balls – both incredible in the their own way.

This is effectively a Vulcain Cricket, just signed Universal.

The Cairelli Split Seconds Chronograph, with 24-hour dial.

Some old watches, and one new one that looks old.

And with that, I'd like to thank you all for having a look at some of the coolest watches I've seen in a while. Hopefully with the re-birth of Universal Genève looming, there will be lots more Universal content to come!

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