There are many collectible vintage watches, but only a few references have been propelled to pop-culture status, receiving the namesake of a past icon known for wearing the specific timepiece. Paul Newman with the exotic dial Rolex Daytona, Eric Clapton with the Universal Geneve Tri-Compax moon phase, Steve McQueen with the Heuer Monaco, Nina Rindt with the white dial Universal Geneve Compax, and Joe Siffert with the white dial Heuer Autavia, to name a few. These iconic people were looked at as the gold standard of “cool” for their achievements, taste, and style, which transcended to the watch community as collectors began to notice the interesting timepieces they chose to drive daily. 

Nina Rindt was a style icon and a well-known model in Europe. However, her most noticeable appearances were at the Formula One track, where she was often seen timing her late Husband, Jochen Rindt, a famous F1 racer throughout the 60s. Jochen Rindt was also notably known for wearing a Heuer Autavia ref. 2446 and gifted Nina the Universal Geneve Compax ref. 885103/02, which would later become a wristwatch icon.

This particular example is an uncommon variation of the Compax "Nina Rindt", which enlists a specific reference number, 885105/02, that denotes its use of a specialized pulsometer or pulsations bezel instead of the standard production tachymeter bezel. The pulsations bezel was designed with medical professionals in mind to measure the heart rate. When measuring heart rate, the chronograph is designed to start at the first heartbeat and stop at the 30th. The second hand will then indicate the heartbeats per minute. 

While functional, the pulsometer "Nina Rindt" is also incredibly rare, evoking the phenomenon of taking a watch that is already uncommon and highly desirable, then adding a unique detail that elevates the watch's status to hyper collectible.

SPECS

CASE & BRACELET

The impressive twisted lug case is especially crisp throughout, showing some honest signs of use. The original black pulsations bezel is in excellent condition with honest signs of light use present. The case retains its original pump pushers and Universal Geneve signed crown. The crystal is also original to the watch, featuring the Universal Geneve logo at the center. The case back features one prominent scratch, and the original factory engravings for the reference and serial remain intact. The watch comes supplied on its original Universal Geneve signed Gay Freres bracelet featuring UW end pieces. The bracelet exhibits light stretch and will fit up to a 7 1/4-inch wrist.

DIAL & HANDS

The gorgeous matte white dial is flawless, showing no imperfections. The black sub-dials are similarly flawless and have achieved a deep chocolate-brown coloration. The tritium lume plots all remain intact, have taken on a charming creamy yellow coloration,. They show no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original black hands and white rectangle sub-dial hands remain original to the watch and exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection.

ACCESSORIES 

None. The watch is functioning and keeping time perfectly; previous service history is unknown