Horological Meandering

A late arrival this year, after some serious Covid related restraint. And a difficult decision between this reedition of the UG Uni-Compax and the equaly great Aquastar Deepstar, as there could be only One.

Both awesome designs that set them apart from other dive related watches of the era, both with lots of history and a funky or different design because of the `Big Eye` minute register and in a way that appeals to me, with limited production numbers and comparable price setting.

While to me the Aquastar has the superior movement with a La-Joux Perret column wheel automatic vs the handwound SW510 in the Massena, the Uni-Racer does have good specs with 28.8 A/h and 58 hours of PR. And easier to service localy maybe and the handwound movement is a nice vintage touch. The only minus for the Aquastar is it`s case shape, an important factor to me for this purchase as it is a bit to blocky or sturdy for what i was looking for. You do get a lot of tool for your money ! so if that is to your liking i would say go for the Deepstar as it was a really close call.

But i wanted a more versatile, or dressier, or multi occasion wear watch as i have different options already in the tool watch department. And the hands were the main decider here  it as i love those trapezium/zoid shaped hands of many UG compax watches ( and rolex 1019 ) , and these have a iridescent intens blue colour, almost titanium blue like a De Bethune watch, which stand out and give the watch a lot of caracter. Still vintage sized at 39mm, gorgious opaline/off white dial and all the little details make this a well made watch in my opnion.

The printing is high quality with the fine red cross hair subdials, one in 3 parts minute counter and the running seconds in 4 quartes, the lume on the hour markers is old white or very light yellow so it is a different and distinguishing feature and makes for a colourful representative in my small collection.  I have not stopped staring at it for these last few days and engaging the chronograph was a joy, although it does need a firm push like with a Speedmaster.

Some pictures to show all the facets and shades of blue, thanks for reading and may you all have a much better 2021 in good health and with running watches !