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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Astronomic wristwatch

Ulysse Nardin 'Astrolabium Galileo Galilei' Ref. 911-22

Partially verified

This Ulysse Nardin 'Astrolabium Galileo Galilei' wristwatch, reference 911-22, is an astronomic self-winding timepiece in 18K yellow gold, dated by the auction house to the 1990s. The 40 mm three-body case features hooded mobile lugs engraved with the model name, maker's signature, and an anchor emblem. Its rounded bezel carries engraved alternating Roman and Arabic numerals indicating a 24-hour scale. The multi-layered planispheric dial is set for the latitude of Geneva, incorporating overlapping rings to indicate equinoctial and local time, months, signs of the zodiac, lunar phases, and the elevation and azimuth of celestial bodies.

Front view of the Ulysse Nardin 'Astrolabium Galileo Galilei' Ref. 911-22 showing the astrolabe dial and 24-hour bezel
Front view of the Ulysse Nardin 'Astrolabium Galileo Galilei' Ref. 911-22 showing the astrolabe dial and 24-hour bezel — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Astronomic wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Ulysse Nardin
Reference
911-22
Catalogue / lot identifier
283
Source-reported date
1990s
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
001

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction

This timepiece features a three-body 18K yellow gold case measuring 40 mm in diameter. It is constructed with a rounded bezel featuring engraved alternating Roman and Arabic numerals to indicate a 24-hour cycle. The assembly includes hooded mobile lugs, which are engraved with the maker's signature and an anchor emblem.

The case exhibits a combination of polished and satiné finishes. While the source describes a transparent screw-down case back, this component is not visible in the available front-facing documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “three-body, solid, polished, satiné, transparent case back with screws”
  • “rounded bezel graduated with engraved alternating Roman and Arabic numerals for the 24 hours”
  • “hooded mobile lugs with signature, logo and white gold U.N. anchor symbol”
  • “Diam. 40 mm.”

Dial Configuration

The planispheric dial is set for the latitude of Geneva and finished in a satiné gray and silver tone. It is designed with an off-center gold disk divided into the twelve signs of the zodiac.

The display utilizes a series of overlapping rings to indicate astronomic data, including equinoctial and local time, the months, zodiac signs, lunar phases, and the elevation and azimuth of the sun and moon. The handset includes a pink gold sun pointer paired with blued steel baton and serpentine hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “D. Geneva latitude satiné gray and silver”
  • “overlapping rings representing the following: equinoctial time, local time, the months, signs of the zodiac, the elevation and azimuth of the sun and the moon on the planisphere”
  • “Pink gold sun hand and blued steel "Baton" and "Serpentine" hands”

Mechanical Specifications

The watch is powered by the self-winding Caliber UN-97. Reported features include 33 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, and an annular balance with three arms equipped with a shock-absorber and a self-compensating flat balance-spring.

The movement incorporates an 18K engraved gold bi-directional rotor. Source records indicate the movement is numbered.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. UN-97, engraved brass, 33 jewels, straight line lever escapement”
  • “18K engraved gold bi-directional rotor”
  • “numbered on the movement”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific numeric identifier engraved on the movement to corroborate the 'No. 001' designation?
  • Are the manual and instructions originally cited as accompanying the lot still present with the object?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ulysse Nardin 'Astrolabium Galileo Galilei' Ref. 911-22
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference911-22“Ref. 911-22.”
Case material18K yellow gold“18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch”
CaliberCal. UN-97“M. Cal. UN-97”
Jewels33“33 jewels”
Diameter40 mm“Diam. 40 mm.”
Date1990s“Manufactured in the 1990s.”
Serial Number001“No. 001”

Visible details

  • Engraved hooded mobile lugs displaying 'ASTROLABIUM' at 12 o'clock and 'ULYSSE NARDIN' with an anchor emblem at 6 o'clock
  • Rounded yellow gold bezel engraved with alternating Roman and Arabic numerals across a 24-hour cycle
  • Multi-part astrolabe dial displaying celestial indicators including horizon, dawn, dusk, and star names such as Antares, Arkturus, and Vega
  • Gold sun pointer alongside straight and serpentine hands
  • Fitted to a brown leather strap

Research qualifications

  • The movement and transparent screw-down case back described by the catalog are not visible in the front-facing photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Ulysse Nardin, Locle, Suisse, "Astrolabium Galileo Galilei", No. 001, Ref. 911-22. Manufactured in the 1990s. Extremely fine and rare, astronomic, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with astrolabe indications, months and an 18K yellow gold Ulysse Nardin buckle. | Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrating Antiquorum's 30th Aniversary | Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, 24th April 2004

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record be1aaa914b

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.