Why We love it 

Nowadays "Panda Dials" are a whole different kind of awesome that have been getting LOTS of attention on the vintage side as well as the modern.

The nickname refers to a white dial with black subsidiary register layout, and is a simple aesthetic choice which has become extremely sought after in the collector community, with Panda Dial variants often commanding many multiples of their "standard" dial brethren (think "Siffert" Heuer Autavias, and "Paul Newman" Rolex Daytonas).

Of course, a timepiece need not have an association with a famous historical figure to have the same great looks, but when they do it makes the story all the sweeter.

We're going to be honest with you, triple-register "Nina Rindt" Panda Dial Compaxes by Universal Genève are some of the most in-demand timepieces we have ever had the privilege of offering. These spectacular chronographs are exceptionally rare (think one for every 100 or so Paul Newman Daytonas) and the few that have come to market in the recent past are well known.

This particular example is one of the earlier executions produced, as indicated by its applied-logo dial, steel hour and minute hands and blued steel central chronograph seconds hand. Later executions would go to a printed logo, and a number of different hand styles were used.

With a strong steel case, excellent dial, signed crown, and "Dot Over 90" Tachymètre bezel with just the right amount of wear, this is an honest timepiece with all the hallmarks of a true classic. And of course it runs the the famous Valjoux  Calibre 72 under the hood.

We haven't had one of these in a while, so don't miss the chance to own the legend!

The Story 

Universal Genéve 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 "" Compax and the "" 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.

Already a stunning sports watch, the original Panda Dial Compax of the 1960s was catapulted into the collector's periphery after it became closely associated with famous model Nina Rindt, née Lincoln, who married the legendary Formula One driver Jochen Rindt in 1967. We're certain that this version of the Compax would have become a classic with or without Nina Rindt, due to its brilliant design and similarities to the Omega Speedmaster, Roled Daytona, and Heuer Carrera, but when the ever-stylish Nina Rindt put her white-and-black Compax on a leather Bundeswehr strap and wore it to one of Jochen's races, she unknowingly created a juggernaut that still has collectors hungry for more.