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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Military pocket watch

Ulysse Nardin Corps of Engineers U.S.A. pocket watch

Partially verified

This military pocket watch by Ulysse Nardin features an .800 silver case produced by Huguenin Frères measuring 53 mm in diameter. According to the seller, it was issued to the United States Corps of Engineers circa 1918 during the First World War. The watch displays a white enameled dial signed 'ULYSSE NARDIN LOCLE & GENÈVE' with outlined Arabic numerals, skeletonized hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The dealer notes that the outer case back is stamped with Corps of Engineers property markings and that the dust cover encloses a gilded movement with an anchor escapement.

Front view of the Ulysse Nardin Corps of Engineers pocket watch suspended on a stand
Front view of the Ulysse Nardin Corps of Engineers pocket watch suspended on a stand — Antiquariato Cherubini Zorzella. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Pocket watch · Military pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Ulysse Nardin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1349028
Source-reported date
circa 1918
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
8359

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

The watch is housed in an .800 silver open-face case measuring 53 mm in diameter. It is produced by Huguenin Frères and features a fluted pendant crown with a circular bow.

The dealer identifies the item as having the inscription 'Properity of Corps of Engineers USA' and the serial number 8359 stamped on the outer casing. A dust cover is reported to be engraved with 'Ulysse Nardin La Locle et Geneve'. These specific inscriptions and the internal dust cover are not visible in the provided imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “800 silver case produced by Huguenin Frères, excellent condition.”
  • “Diameter 53 mm.”
  • “The writing "Properity of Corps of Engineers USA" N. 8359 is stamped on the outer casing.”
  • “Dust cover engraved “Ulysse Nardin La Locle et Geneve””

Dial and Visual Observations

The watch features a white enameled dial with Arabic numerals, identified by the dealer as a 'military dial'. The dial is signed 'Ulysse Nardin La Locle and Geneve' below the 12 o'clock position.

The watch utilizes dark skeletonized hands and a subsidiary seconds subdial located at the 6 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enameled military dial with Arabic numerals.”
  • “Signed "Ulysse Nardin La Locle and Geneve"”
  • “Dark skeletonized hands with spade/poire styling and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.”

Movement and Provenance

The internal mechanism is described as a 'high quality golden movement' featuring an anchor escapement and signed by Ulysse Nardin. The movement is not visible in the provided photography.

The dealer asserts this watch was issued to the United States Corps of Engineers during the First World War, circa 1918.

Evidence for this section
  • “High quality golden movement, anchor escapement.”
  • “Signed Ulysse Nardin.”
  • “issued to the United States Corps of Engineers during the First World War, circa 1918.”

Open research questions

  • Is the 'Properity' spelling on the case back consistent with documented Huguenin Frères military contracts, or is it potentially a transcription error in the dealer's listing?
  • Do Ulysse Nardin production serial numbers in the 8xxx range correspond to 1918 manufacture dates for the U.S. Corps of Engineers?
  • Are there archival records confirming the specific claim that 10,000 such silver-cased watches were ordered by the AEF?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ulysse Nardin Corps of Engineers U.S.A. pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case material.800 silver“800 silver case produced by Huguenin Frères”
Case diameter53 mm“Diameter 53 mm.”
Case inscriptionProperity of Corps of Engineers USA N. 8359“The writing "Properity of Corps of Engineers USA" N. 8359 is stamped on the outer casing.”
Movement escapementAnchor escapement“High quality golden movement, anchor escapement.”
Dial descriptionWhite enameled military dial“White enameled military dial with Arabic numerals.”

Visible details

  • White enameled dial featuring open/outlined Arabic numeral hour markers and an outer chapter minute track.
  • Dial signed 'ULYSSE NARDIN LOCLE & GENÈVE' below 12 o'clock.
  • Dark skeletonized hands with spade/poire styling and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.
  • Polished silver open-face case with fluted pendant crown and circular bow suspended from a stand.

Research qualifications

  • The seller's text transcribes the outer case engraving as 'Properity of Corps of Engineers USA N. 8359', which cannot be confirmed visually as the case back is not shown in the primary photograph.
  • Movement and cuvette details are source-reported and not visible in the provided image.

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Rare Ulysse Nardin Pocket Watch , Corps Of Engineers, Usa, 1

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e3130d9c10

Terms in this record

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

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