The acquisition of the prestigious brand Universal Genève by Breitling two years ago sparked major expectations. Reviving such a significant name of the past—one associated with premium chronographs—was never going to be easy, and its new creators are taking their time. So far, only a trio of unique SAS Polerouters and, more recently, the Tribute to Compax Chronographs collection have appeared. The brand’s true comeback, however, is planned for 2026—a date surprisingly close. Meanwhile, historical pieces continue to rise in value.
In the world of vintage watches, collectors often chase the perfect dial, sharp case lines, or a rare reference. But certain examples from history offer something more. They have a soul. The second-hand program of the Chronoshop atelier has just added one such piece—a watch that merges the technical excellence of the legendary Valjoux 72 with a nearly forgotten chapter of film history.
The sport-elegant Universal Genève Aero-Compax (Ref. 22703/4) once adorned the wrist of one of the most famous—and most controversial—Czech film directors: Jiří Sequens.
An epitaph for friends and enemies
The year was 1965. Jiří Sequens had just achieved phenomenal success with his World War II drama Atentát (1964), a raw, documentary-style reconstruction of Operation Anthropoid. The film gained international attention, catching the eye of Greek producers looking for a director capable of handling an ambitious story set in the final days of the war in Berlin. They chose Sequens.
The film was titled Epitaph for Friends and Enemies (Epitáfios giá ’ehthroús kaí Fílous). Shot in Thessaloniki, it was a major international production led by prominent producers of the era—Skouras and Konitsiotis.
After filming wrapped in March 1966, Sequens received a gift: the Universal Genève Aero-Compax (Ref. 22703/4). The movie itself met a peculiar fate—it was long considered lost and never reached standard Czech distribution. But the watch survived and carries with it an indelible trace of that era.
Turn the watch over and instead of the typical polished caseback seen on Aero-Compax chronographs, you find an old-school engraving—essentially the birth certificate of this story:
EPITAPH
SKOURAS – KONITSIOTIS
MARCH 1966
The names reference the film’s producers and the title itself. It is a direct line back to a time when filmmaking was still a craft—and when a job well done was rewarded not with promotional merchandise but with a top-tier Swiss chronograph.
A technical jewel: Aero-Compax Ref. 22703/4
Even without its famous owner, this watch would be a collector’s dream. The 22703/4 reference from the mid-1960s represents the sportier, more robust face of Universal Genève. Produced only for a handful of years, it is exceptionally rare on the secondary market.
This Aero-Compax embodies everything that makes Universal Genève one of the most sought-after names in the vintage world. Its stainless-steel chronograph case has retained excellent shape and the movement runs beautifully. The watch uses the calibre known as UG 130—none other than the legendary Valjoux 72, the manual-wind chronograph movement that also powered icons such as the Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman.”
The 41 mm steel case with a rotating bezel gives the watch a modern, sporty look—far removed from the smaller dress watches of the 1950s.
The watch is offered in what collectors call “honest condition.” It is not a safe-queen; it is a watch that lived the life of its owner. Almost all components remain original. The dial has developed a beautiful patina, while the hands were likely restored at some point with refreshed luminous material. The chronograph reset pusher was replaced in the past with a functional alternative—common practice during the socialist era, when original Universal Genève parts were impossible to source.
Importantly, the watch underwent a full service two years ago and is now fully functional and ready to wear.
Why desire it?
Because you are buying two stories in one. You are acquiring a rare Aero-Compax powered by the celebrated Valjoux 72—whose global market value keeps climbing. And at the same time, you are purchasing a personal artifact belonging to a man who helped shape Czechoslovak cinema. It is a relic from a “lost film,” resurfacing decades later as a tangible piece of cultural history.
The watch is available for physical viewing at the Chronoshop atelier. It stands ready to write its next chapter—perhaps this time yours.
