881101/01 ‘Clapton’ Universal Genève Tri-Compax

Eric-Clapton-Universal-Genève-Tri-Compax-881101/01

They say never meet your heroes; I’ve never met Eric Clapton. But I have met my hero, his watch, and they were wrong. The 881101 in any guise is near-perfection: discreet complication, total design balance in a panda dial, a lyre-lugged 36mm steel case, and immense history. The Tri-Compax holds lore itself in watch collecting…

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881101/01 ‘Clapton’ Universal Genève Tri-Compax

881101/01-Universal-Genève-Tri-Compax-Clapton

It is simply not possible for any mere mortal to out-cool Eric Clapton; eternally influential guitar genius, CBE, friend of all the rock greats, and, perhaps most relevant to today, a dedicated watch enthusiast. Clapton has not just been a watch collector since fame and fortune, no. Clapton has been a disciple of horology since the…

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881101/02 ‘Evil Clapton’ Universal Genève Tri-Compax

881101/02-Universal-Genève-Tri-Compax-Evil-Clapton

It is simply not possible for any mere mortal to out-cool Eric Clapton; eternally influential guitar genius, CBE, friend of all the rock greats, and, perhaps most relevant to today, a dedicated watch enthusiast. Clapton has not just been a watch collector since fame and fortune, no. Clapton has been a disciple of horology since…

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A Spectacular 881101/03 Exotic Tri-Compax Universal Genève

Universal-Genève-881101/03-Exotic-Tri-Compax

The further one delves into Universal Genève, the more infatuated they become—almost without exception. This has certainly been my experience; no brand outside of the big five comes close in depth or breadth. Among their most iconic models, one has to list the Eric Clapton Tri-Compax, the 881101/1 panda dial. This is not that. This…

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Universal Genève Eric Clapton Tri-Compax

Universal-Genève-Tri-Compax-Eric-Clapton-881101

The Tri-Compax is model which has spanned decades in numerous configurations. There are varying combinations of cases, dial, hands, colors, and movements to suit any taste. Few, however, are more desirable than this: the Eric Clapton (reference 881101/01). In 1966 Hendrix and Clapton met for the first time. At that fortuitous London speakeasy where the…

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