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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck chronometer

Ulysse Nardin Deck Chronometer

Partially verified

This Ulysse Nardin deck chronometer, dated circa 1952, is a keyless instrument housed in a four-piece stainless steel case with a screw back and internal stainless steel cuvette. Measuring 64 mm in diameter, the watch features a white enamel dial with bold radial Roman numerals, an outer minute track, a sub-seconds register, and a 36-hour power reserve indicator located at 12 o'clock. The movement is a 54 mm (24''') frosted gilt caliber featuring 18 jewels, a straight calibrated lever escapement, and an anibal-brass Guillaume balance paired with a special alloy Breguet balance spring. It also incorporates a patented cam-type micrometric regulator. The piece is signed by the manufacturer on the dial, case, and movement, and is accompanied by its original three-tier wooden box.

Ulysse Nardin stainless steel deck chronometer in its original wooden presentation box, showing the dial with up-and-down indicator.
Ulysse Nardin stainless steel deck chronometer in its original wooden presentation box, showing the dial with up-and-down indicator. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Deck chronometer
Maker / attribution
Ulysse Nardin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
258
Source-reported date
circa 1952
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
124447 (movement), 669358 (case)

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 and Dial Design

The Ulysse Nardin deck chronometer is presented in a polished, four-piece stainless steel case measuring 64 mm in diameter. The construction includes a screw-on case back and an internal stainless steel cuvette protecting the movement. The piece is accompanied by its original three-tier wooden box, which matches the serial number assigned to the instrument.

The dial is crafted from white enamel and features bold radial Roman numerals for the hours. An outer minute track frames the dial, while a recessed sub-seconds register sits at the lower portion. A 36-hour power reserve indicator is positioned prominently at the 12 o'clock position, and the watch is fitted with blued steel spade-shaped hands to indicate the time.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-piece, polished, screw back, stainless steel cuvette.”
  • “White enamel, bold radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, up-and-down indicator at 12 o'clock, pressed sub-seconds.”
  • “Blued steel "spade"hands.”

Movement Construction

The movement measures 54 mm, or 24''', and is finished in frosted gilt. It utilizes 18 jewels and features a straight calibrated lever escapement. The oscillator consists of an anibal-brass Guillaume balance fitted with a special alloy Breguet balance spring, intended for high-precision timekeeping.

Adjustments to the chronometer are facilitated by a patented cam-type micrometric regulator. The manufacturer has signed the movement, ensuring consistency with the dial and case inscriptions. The auction description reports that the movement currently requires an overhaul for optimal performance.

Evidence for this section
  • “frosted gilt, 18 jewels, straight calibrated leverescapement, anibal-brass Guillaume balance with special alloy Breguet bal-ance spring, patented cam-type micrometric regulator.”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Signatures and Grading

The horological object is signed by Ulysse Nardin on its dial, case, and movement components, providing clear identification. The serial number 124447 is associated with the movement, while the case is identified by number 669358.

Regarding condition, the auction house grades the case as 3 (Good) and the movement as 3* (Good). The dial is also assigned a grade of 3.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signed on dial, case and movement.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific nature of the '3*' movement grading as provided by the auction house?
  • Are there archival production records confirming the original delivery date of this serial number to a maritime or observatory customer?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ulysse Nardin Deck Chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerUlysse Nardin“Ulysse Nardin, Locle, Suisse”
Movement Serial124447“No. 124447”
Case Serial669358“case No. 669358”
Datecirca 1952“circa 1952”
Movement size54 mm“M. 54 mm. (24''')”
Balance typeGuillaume balance“anibal-brass Guillaume balance”
RegulatorCam-type micrometric“patented cam-type micrometric regulator”
Case diameter64 mm“Diam. 64 mm.”

Visible details

  • Power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock
  • Blued steel spade hands
  • Four-piece stainless steel case with screw back
  • Original wooden three-tier presentation box

Research qualifications

  • Condition of the movement is rated as 3* and an overhaul is recommended
  • Long-term operational status is unverified beyond visual inspection

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

Consulted source

Ulysse Nardin, Locle, Suisse, No. 124447, case No. 669358, circa 1952. Very fine stainless steel keyless deck chronome- ter with 36-hour power reserve indicator and Guillaume balance in orig- inal three-tier wooden box.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record daf3d4dfcb

Terms in this record

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

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