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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Ulysse Nardin Deck Watch No. 29938

Partially verified

Dating to circa 1941, this Swiss deck watch by Ulysse Nardin is housed in an open-face silver case mounted inside a fitted mahogany box. The case features a winding crown inset into a cylindrical pendant alongside a hand-setting push piece. Its white enamel dial presents Roman numerals, outer five-minute figures, fifth-of-a-second track divisions, and blued-steel hands with a counterpoised centre seconds hand. The barred matt-gilt brass movement incorporates a going barrel, four-wheel train, club-tooth lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with 22 brass screws, and micrometer regulation. The box interior retains an engraved Hydrographic Department issue label.

Deck watch mounted inside its open mahogany transport box with lid plaque
Deck watch mounted inside its open mahogany transport box with lid plaque — National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rmg.co.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Ulysse Nardin
Reference
H.S.527-3636
Catalogue / lot identifier
ZBA0078
Source-reported date
circa 1941
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
29938

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

Housing and Transport Case

This deck watch is contained within a mahogany box featuring a circular ivorine tablet on the lid engraved 'C-W / NARDIN / No.29938'. The interior is lined with red velvet and contains a brass drum mount lined with red velvet-covered cork, shaped to the form of the watch.

The lid houses a brass-plated, folded steel label holder and a black-painted aluminium label identifying the object as property of the Ministry of Defence Hydrographic Department with Stores Reference H.S.527-3636.

Evidence for this section
  • “A mahogany deck box with a circular ivorine tablet inset into the top, engraved 'C­W / NARDIN / No.29938'.”
  • “The lid contains a brass-plated, folded steel label holder for an issue card and a black-painted aluminium label, marked in silver 'MINISTRY OF DEFENCE / HYDROGRAPHIC DEPT. / WATCH CHRONOMETER / Stores Ref. H.S.527-3636 / Serial No. 29938'.”

Case Construction and Dial

The open-face watch case is constructed of silver, featuring a winding and setting crown inset into a cylindrical pendant. A hand-setting push piece is positioned on the case band at the 11 o'clock position. Internal markings include the manufacturer's shield, Swiss 'Canard' control marks, and '0.925' purity stamps.

The 50mm white enamel dial exhibits Roman numerals, Arabic five-minute figures, and fifth-of-a-second track divisions. Time is displayed via blued-steel spade and poker-hands, supplemented by a counter-balanced, blued-steel centre seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “The silver, open-face case has the winding/setting crown inset into a cylindrical pendant, with a hand-setting push piece on the side of the case to the left at '11 o'clock'.”
  • “A white enamel dial of 50 mm Æ is signed 'ULYSSE NARDIN / LOCLE / 29938 / C­W' above the centre.”
  • “Polished and blued-steel spade and poker-hands have a counter-balanced, blued-steel centre seconds hand.”

Movement Architecture

The matt-gilt brass movement is of barred construction utilizing a going barrel and a four-wheel train, with the centre seconds driven off the third wheel. Regulation is managed by a polished steel index on the balance cock, which operates a horizontal screw against a calibrated 'F' and 'S' scale.

The escapement is a jewelled, club-tooth lever type. The compensation balance is cut and bimetallic, fitted with 22 brass screws, and paired with a flat spiral blued-steel balance spring featuring an overcoil.

Evidence for this section
  • “The going barrel, barred movement is of matt-gilt brass, and is signed with machine engraving on the barrel bridge 'ULYSSE NARDIN / SWISS'.”
  • “The cut bimetallic compensation balance is mounted with 22 brass screws around the rim.”
  • “The flat spiral, blued-steel balance spring, with over coil, has an index mounted on the upper surface of the balance cock.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific significance of the 'C-W' mark appearing on both the dial and the exterior mahogany box?
  • Do the stamps 'FFBA / 46' and '106' correlate to specific manufacturing workshops or case production batches?
  • How does the H.S.527-3636 stores reference correlate to the procurement and deployment history of deck watches by the Hydrographic Department during this period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ulysse Nardin Deck Watch No. 29938
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerUlysse Nardin“Creator: Ulysse Nardin”
Date madecirca 1941“Date made: circa 1941”
Museum IDZBA0078“ID: ZBA0078”
Stores referenceH.S.527-3636“Stores Ref. H.S.527-3636”
Silver hallmark mark0.925“and in rectangular marks '0.925'”
Movement signatureULYSSE NARDIN / SWISS“signed with machine engraving on the barrel bridge 'ULYSSE NARDIN / SWISS'”
Case HallmarksFFBA / 46“and in rectangular marks '0.925' and 'FFBA / 46'.”
Overall Dimensions65 x 99 x 125 mm“Measurements: Overall: 65 x 99 x 125 mm”

Visible details

  • Housed in an open mahogany box fitted with an engraved Hydrographic Department metal plaque and issue card frame inside the lid
  • Open-face dial features Roman numerals, outer fifth-of-a-second track, and blued-steel hands
  • Watch is mounted in a turned brass drum bezel within the wooden case

Research qualifications

  • Closed exterior view of the mahogany box lid is not shown in this image

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

Consulted source

29938 | Royal Museums Greenwich

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 4a741da7cd

Terms in this record

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

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