Universal Genève Compax 885103/02 Nina Rindt - MK1

This chronograph is as stylish, cool and legendary as its celebrity wearer: Nina Rindt. The wife of Formula 1 racer Jochen Rindt owned the Panda version of the Universal Genève Compax reference 885103/02 and wore it regularly on her wrist. The now famous photo from the 1960s shows Nina Rindt in the pit lane with her fashionable oversized sunglasses and, of course, her UG Compax on a stylish wide leather strap. Today, the Panda version is nicknamed "Nina Rindt" and is one of the most coveted vintage collector's chronographs in the world.

The Universal Geneve Nina Rindt was produced in the short period between 1964 and 1967. Depending on the production date, there are differences in dials (applied or printed logo), hand colors and sizes, different engravings of the movement bridge, different logos on the crown.

What makes this "Nina Rindt" so special and rare is not only the great overall condition, but also the early serial number 2354xxx and matching characteristics. For example, it has the early MK1 dial with applied UG logo at 12 o'clock and the early caliber UG 130, while the later versions show caliber 85 on the bridge. Both were UG internal designations for the manual-wound caliber Valjoux 72. The MK1 hand set is also matching: steel minute/hour hands, metallic blue chrono hand, and the white rectangular hands in the sub-registers.

Another special feature of the watch offered here is the slightly faded bezel, which was originally black and over the years developed a gray-bluish hue, harmonizing wonderfully with the blue chrono hand. This effect is also known from other examples of "Nina Rindt".

Condition report
Dial: greatly preserved white surface - under a 10x loupe you can see a very light natural patina - perfect black sub registers - original, not re-painted tritium lume - signed with "SWISS".

Case: full profile, intact and sharp lugs - clearly legible engravings of the reference and serial number on the back - even "STAINLESS STEEL SWISS" is still visible - in our opinion, the watch has been either unpolished or very lightly polished in the past - original winding crown with correct early UG logo - the UG logo on the acrylic crystal is no longer visible - original chrono pushers - correct engravings inside the caseback.

Bezel: slightly faded tachymeter bezel - natural scratches at 10 and 12 o'clock, barely visible to the naked eye.

Movement: manual-wind Universal Genève 130 caliber (Valjoux 72) in perfect working order - timegrapher: rate: -3s/day, amplitude: 270, beat error: 0.3.

Summing-Up
Few vintage chronographs have such a fine and attractive presence on the wrist as the Panda UG Compax from the 1960s. Not for nothing is this watch often compared to the Rolex manual-wound Daytona. The size, design and perfect proportions harmonize beautifully. On this specimen, there is also the faded bezel, which makes the watch look especially charming on the wrist. The great condition combined with the history makes this Nina Rindt an highly collectible chronograph.

Serial number: 2354xxx (1964)

Int.Exe.: 2305040