Universal Geneve 'Evil Nina' Compax

Why We Love It Universal Genève. Most people probably know of the company through some form of the Compax or the Polerouter. The watch we have here is a sporty 60s chronograph known to collectors as the 'Evil Nina'. There's a lot to love about this piece, the movement, the dial design, and the size. Starting with the inside out, the manually-wound chronograph movement that powers the Evil Nina is the famous Valjoux 72. It would be an understatement to say that this calibre is one of the most highly respected chronograph movements ever made, and has found itself at home in everything from a Heuer Carrera to the famous Paul Newman Rolex Daytona. Giving the 'Evil Nina' her nickname is the reverse panda dial is accented by a red seconds hand. This layout gives the watch a similar style to the Daytona of the era, and fundamentally speaking, the Evil Nina is very similar to the Daytona. Similar styling, similar case, and same movement - available for a fraction of the price.  Fitted in a sleek 35.5mm twisted lug case manufactured by Huguenin Frerès and featuring barrel pushers and a meaty winding crown, these 60s Compaxes are the very epitomé of 60s cool. Plus, it has a nickname as badass as the watch itself. The Story Universal Genève has become synonymous with chronographs. In the last decade, the demand for their vintage models has risen sharply, with some examples making world record appearances on the auction circuits. Surely, Universal Genève is a staple of vintage collecting. The 1940s to the 1960s were in many ways the golden years of chronograph production for Universal Genève. The timepieces produced during this period (in particular the "Nina Rindt" Compax, its sister the "Evil Nina" and the "Eric Clapton" Tri-Compax) have attracted the attention and admiration of collectors. So in the 1990s, when Universal Genève wanted to commemorate its centennial, a chronograph espousing similar design language seemed a natural choice.