Universal 281 Tri-Compax

	Brand:	Universal
	Family:	Universal 281 Family
	Height:	7.15 mm
	Jewels:	17
	Reserve:	36 hours
	Frequency:	18,000 A/h
	Winding:	Hand winding
	Diameter:	27.80 mm (12 ligne)
	Complications:	2-Button, 8-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Day, Month, Moon Phase, Quick Date Correction, Quick Month Correction
	Hands:	12 Hour Chronograph Hand at 6:00, 30 Minute Chronograph Hand at 3:00, Central 60 Second Chronograph Hand, Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand, Date Pointer at 12:00, Day Window at 10:30, Month Window at 1:30, Moon Phase Wheel at 12:00, Small Seconds Hand at 9:00

Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Hand-Winding Clockwise Balance Cock 8-Column Chronograph Balance Balance at 12:00 Column Wheel Column Wheel at 6:00
Production:  –
1910s	1920s	1930s	1940s	1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s

The “Tri-Compax” version of the Universal Cal. 281 is a hand-winding column wheel chronograph movement with hour and minute registers as well as a full calendar with moon phase. It has a distinctive four-subdial look.

• Month window at 1:30 (advanced by pusher at 10:15)
• Chronograph 30 minute counter at 3:00
• Chronograph 12 hour counter at 6:00
• Small seconds at 9:00
• Day window at 10:30 (not quickset)
• Date pointer at 12:00 (advanced by pusher at 8:00)
• Moon phase disc at 12:00 (advanced by pusher at 9:45)

Many of the Universal Cal. 281 family were produced in different versions: The basic “Uni-Compax” movement features only a 30 or 45 minute chronograph counter and small seconds with two subdials, the “Compax” or “Bi-Compax” version adds a 12 hour counter with three subdials, and the “Tri-Compax” includes a full calendar and moon phase with four subdials. The “Compax” naming scheme is often confused today, with two-subdial versions often called “bi-compax” and three-subdial configurations “tri-compax” even though this is incorrect.

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