The Universal Genève Film-Compax ref. 22522 uses its chronograph to track motion-picture film footage rather than the speed, distance, or pulse readings shown on more familiar chronograph scales. Reference 22522 alone does not identify the Film-Compax dial: another Universal Genève Compax 30 has also been catalogued under that number.
What makes the Film-Compax scale unusual?
The dial translates elapsed chronograph time into feet of film passing through a camera. Fratello’s 2019 reference study describes separate tracks for 16 mm and 35 mm film, based on a frame rate of 24 frames per second. The scale is a specialized use of the chronograph, not a conventional tachymeter or telemeter.
According to that study, the red track corresponds to 16 mm film and the black track to 35 mm film. The minute register at 3 o’clock measures feet per minute for both formats. As Sacha Davidoff wrote in Fratello’s May 23, 2019 article, “The minute register located at 3 o’clock measures increments of feet per minute for both types.” Read Fratello’s reference study.
The scale’s practical reading depends on the stated film format and frame-rate assumption. Fratello explains the markings as a footage indicator for film running at 24 frames per second; the available sources do not establish that Universal Genève published this explanation as a manufacturer instruction.
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What is documented about ref. 22522?
Phillips catalogues a stainless-steel Film-Compax ref. 22522 as circa 1945 and made in Switzerland. The specific auctioned watch has a 37 mm case, a manual calibre 287 with 17 jewels, and signed case, dial, and movement. Its movement number is 261’268 and its case number is 1’174’518. These are details of that catalogued example, not a guarantee that every watch associated with the reference has identical specifications. See the Phillips lot record.
Why the reference number is not enough
Aste Bolaffi has also catalogued a 1940s Universal Genève Compax 30 as ref. 22522, with a different case number and dial configuration. That overlap means a listing or case number by itself cannot establish that a watch is the Film-Compax. See Aste Bolaffi’s Compax 30 record.
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When assessing a specific watch, compare the evidence as a whole:
- Dial: Check whether the red and black film-footage tracks and the associated register configuration match the Film-Compax description.
- Case: Record the case number and compare it with the watch’s documentation; Phillips’s example is numbered 1’174’518.
- Movement: Check the movement identity and number. Phillips’s example uses calibre 287 and is numbered 261’268.
- Provenance: Look for catalogue records or other documentation that connects the dial, case, and movement to the claimed configuration.
Fratello reported that examples it had researched generally had case serials in the 1’174’xxx range and movement numbers in the 261’xxx range. Those ranges are a useful comparison point, not proof of authenticity or a complete list of legitimate serials.
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How rare is the Film-Compax?
Published counts differ by source and date. Fratello’s 2019 article described seven known examples. Later Phillips catalogue information reproduced by EveryWatch described eight. Neither figure should be treated as a definitive current census: each reflects the scope and timing of its source. The Phillips example’s case and movement numbers fall within the ranges Fratello reported. See EveryWatch’s reproduced catalogue information; see the related catalogue record.
Fratello also reports a period advertisement that mentioned availability through the Henri Watch Stern Agency in New York. The article interprets the imperial, feet-based scale as evidence of an intended U.S. market; that is the researchers’ interpretation of the advertisement and design, rather than a confirmed statement of the manufacturer’s exclusive target market. Read the historical context in Fratello’s study.
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What does the auction result tell a buyer?
Phillips records a realized result of $101,600 for its catalogued Film-Compax example. That is a historical result for one watch, not a current valuation or a prediction for another example. Condition, originality, provenance, and sale date matter when comparing vintage chronographs, and the available records do not establish a current like-for-like market benchmark. Phillips’s catalogue record includes the lot details.
For further identification context, Phillips also includes the watch in its START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs catalogue.
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