Universal Genève Tri-Compax “Evil Clapton”, Steel

Brand

Universal Genève

Reference

881101/02

Functions

Triple calendar (month, day, date), chronograph, moonphase, hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds

Case material

Steel

Case width

36mm

Movement

Manual wind. Cal. 281

Strap / Buckle

Unsigned leather strap, unsigned steel tang buckle

Box / Papers

Watch only

Remarks

Highly collectible and extremely rare, this is the “Evil Clapton”. Referred to as such by collectors, this model is the rare and distinctively black, reverse-panda, dial variant of Reference 881101/01 (the “Clapton”), which has a white panda dial and was often spotted on the wrist of legendary guitarist Eric Clapton. 

Featuring three complications, the Tri-Compax has a triple calendar, 3-register chronograph and a moonphase display, powered by hand-wound movement Cal. 281. It has an attractive dial layout with bold accents from the red chronograph hand and day and month displays (in English).

Throughout its cherished history, there have been multiple dial variations of the Tri-Compax and the desirable “Evil Clapton” variant is certainly on the rarer side, making it a magnificent collector’s item. This example from the 1960’s comes in very original condition with its 36mm steel case remaining unpolished and caseback serial number intact.