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You are here: Home / Movements / Universal 289

Universal 289

Last Update: December 1, 2022

Brand:Martel, Universal
Family:
Universal 289 Family
Height:5.55 mm
Jewels:17
Reserve:32 hours
Frequency:18,000 A/h
Winding:Hand winding
Diameter:23.30 mm (10.5 ligne)
  Complications:2-Button, 8-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph
Hands:30 Minute Chronograph Hand at 3:00, Central 60 Second Chronograph Hand, Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand, Small Seconds Hand at 9:00
Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Hand-Winding
Clockwise Balance Cock
Screwed Balance
Indexed Regulator
8-Column Chronograph
Balance at 12:00
Column Wheel at 6:00
Production: 1937 – 
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

Cal. 289 is a compact chronograph movement produced by the Martel Watch Co. factory for Universal Genève in the 1940s and 1950s. It measured 10.5 ligne (23.30 mm) in diameter and just 5.55 mm thick, making it one of the most compact watch movements of the era. Unlike most other Universal movements, it was not available with additional complications or different main plate diameters.

The first Universal ladies chronographs wore the “Compur” name and appeared in 1937. Later models used “Uni-Compax”. All feature a 30 minute totalizer at 3:00 on the dial.

According to Faszination Uhrwerk, Martel named this movement Cal. 1016 and produced it exclusively for Universal starting in 1932.

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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