The Record Ledger · updated July 2026 · 19 documented results

The 10 Most Expensive Universal Genève Watches Ever Sold

The most expensive Universal Genève watch ever documented by MostExpensiveWatches is the Universal Genève A. Cairelli Split-Second Chronograph ref. 22560, which realized $129,000 at Sotheby's Geneva in 2012 — the top of 19 documented results totaling $743,223.

The record
$129,000
Sotheby's Geneva · 2012
Documented results
19
$743,223 total · median $22,800
Seven figures+
0
results at or above $1M
  1. 1

    Universal Genève A. Cairelli Split-Second Chronograph

    $129,000 · 2012 · Sotheby's Geneva

    A historically significant oversized military split-second chronograph delivered by the Roman retailer A. Cairelli to the Italian Air Force in 1945.

  2. 2

    Universal Genève Tri-Compax 'Eric Clapton'

    $106,000 · 2017 · Phillips Geneva

    A panda-dial Tri-Compax famously worn by Eric Clapton during his time with Cream. It combines a moonphase, calendar, and chronograph in a sporty 36mm case.

  3. 3

    Universal Genève Split Seconds Chronograph "A. Cairelli"

    $87,500 · 2021 · Christie's New York

    An ultra-rare oversized split-seconds chronograph made for the Italian Air Force, featuring a 24-hour dial and 16-minute register.

  4. 4

    Universal Genève Split Seconds Chronograph "A. Cairelli"

    $74,000 · 2012 · Christie's Geneva

    A very rare oversized split-seconds chronograph retailed by A. Cairelli, Rome, featuring a 24-hour dial.

  5. 5

    Universal Genève Compax 'Nina Rindt'

    $47,500 · 2016 · Phillips Geneva

    Named after the wife of F1 driver Jochen Rindt, who was frequently photographed wearing it. This white-dial panda chronograph is a masterpiece of 1960s tool watch design.

  6. 6

    Universal Genève Compax "Nina Rindt"

    $47,500 · 2015 · Christie's New York

    A highly preserved example of the 'Nina Rindt' Compax, featuring the early applied 'U' logo and original box and papers.

  7. 7

    Universal Genève Amagnetic

    $46,000 · 2016 · Christie's Geneva

    A rare stainless steel antimagnetic wristwatch, a direct competitor to the Rolex Milgauss and Patek Philippe 3417.

  8. 8

    Universal Genève Compax

    $35,000 · 2019 · Christie's New York

    A classic 18k gold Compax from the Keystone Collection, representing the mid-century elegance of Universal Genève.

  9. 9

    Universal Genève Medico-Compax

    $24,100 · 2017 · Christie's Geneva

    A rare stainless steel version of the Medico-Compax featuring a multi-scale dial with a red pulsometer track.

  10. 10

    Universal Genève Medico-Compax

    $22,800 · 2017 · Christie's Geneva

    A large and attractive 18k gold chronograph with a red pulsometer scale, specifically designed for medical professionals.

How the record was set

Every documented result that beat all before it.

YearNew record Watch
2012 $16,800 Universal Genève Compax Oversized · Christie's Geneva
2012 $74,000 Universal Genève Split Seconds Chronograph "A. Cairelli" · Christie's Geneva
2012 $129,000 Universal Genève A. Cairelli Split-Second Chronograph · Sotheby's Geneva

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Cite this record

Every figure above is a documented hammer price with a primary source on its lot page. Cite as “MostExpensiveWatches Record Ledger”, e.g.:

“The most expensive Universal Genève watch ever documented by MostExpensiveWatches is the Universal Genève A. Cairelli Split-Second Chronograph ref. 22560, which realized $129,000 at Sotheby's Geneva in 2012 — the top of 19 documented results totaling $743,223.” — MostExpensiveWatches, July 2026. https://mostexpensivewatches.net/most-expensive/universal-geneve

Machine-readable: /data/records.json · See also the Grail Index and the daily Price Index.