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You are here: Home / Movements / Universal 281 Tri-Compax

Universal 281 Tri-Compax

Last Update: July 1, 2019

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.

Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.

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