Universal Genève – Dato-Compax Ref. 22530 Steel Oversized 1942 Chronograph – Cal. 287

The Dato-Compax

Universal Genève introduced the Compax chronograph family in the late 1930s, building on a series of in-house chronograph calibres that the manufacture had been developing since 1917.

The naming system was systematic: Uni-Compax for the signle chronograph counter, Compax for the two-registers, Tri-Compax for the triple calendar with moonphase, Aero-Compax for the pilot’s chronograph with second time zone, and Dato-Compax for the chronograph with date.

The Dato-Compax was produced from approximately 1942 to the late 1940s — a production run of just a few years. It was introduced after the Compax (1936) and the Aero-Compax (1940), and was effectively superseded by the Tri-Compax, launched in 1944 to celebrate Universal Genève’s 50th anniversary.

Where the Dato-Compax offered a chronograph with a date sub-dial at 12 o’clock, the Tri-Compax added day and month displays along with a moonphase — a more complete calendar that made the Dato-Compax redundant.

The ref. 22530 is the large-case stainless steel Dato-Compax, measuring 36.5 mm and powered by the 15 lignes cal 287

The majority of Dato-Compax production used the smaller Cal. 281 in cases of 32–34 mm. The ref. 22530, with its 36.5 mm case is the largest and least common configuration.

The Watch

This steel Universal Genève Dato-Compax dates to 1942. The case measures 36.5 mm excluding the crown — a size that places it among the largest dato-Compax chronographs. The case is in excellent condition with only very light traces of use.

The acrylic crystal is in perfect condition.

The black dial is an inverted panda configuration — black ground with silvered sub-dials — with four registers: running seconds at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 3, 12-hour counter at 6, and date at 12. White Arabic numerals, outer tachymeter scale, luminous hands with red chronograph seconds hand. The dial is a quality reprint faithful to the original layout.

The movement is the Universal Genève Calibre 287, a 17-jewel manual-wind chronograph. It has been serviced and is running strong.

The watch is fitted with a new leather strap.

This watch has been serviced in-house and is in good working order. It is delivered with our six-month guarantee and our originality certificate.

Worldwide shipping is available and inquiries are welcome.