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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Ulysse Nardin Silver Chronometer Deck Watch

Partially verified

According to the auction catalog, this Ulysse Nardin chronometer deck watch was manufactured in 1942 for the British Hydrographic Service. Cased in silver with an accompanying brass tub and wooden box, the 56 mm timepiece features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, an outer minute and seconds track, and blued steel hands. The catalog notes that it is powered by a manual-wind 22''' caliber movement featuring an indirect center seconds mechanism, a Guillaume balance, and five position adjustments. The case back is reported to bear an engraved broad arrow and 'H.S. ↑2' military service designation.

Front view of the Ulysse Nardin deck watch mounted in its brass tub inside an open wooden deck box
Front view of the Ulysse Nardin deck watch mounted in its brass tub inside an open wooden deck box — Phillips. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.phillips.com
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Ulysse Nardin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
2
Source-reported date
1942
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
122’757

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

Provenance and Identification

The timepiece is identified as a Ulysse Nardin chronometer deck watch manufactured in 1942. According to the provided catalog information, the watch was produced for the British Hydrographic Service.

The watch is accompanied by an extract from the Ulysse Nardin archives. The source documentation states that the watch was designated as 'Top Class' quality by the manufacturer and confirms its association with the British Hydrographic Service.

Evidence for this section
  • “Accompanied by Ulysse Nardin Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present deck watch for the British Hydrographic Service in 1942.”
  • “its Extract from the Archives confirms the watch as “Top Class””

Construction and Exterior

The watch measures 56 mm in diameter and is housed in a silver case. It is displayed within a circular brass container, which is seated inside a hinged wooden deck box.

The white enamel dial features black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer track calibrated to 60 units. The movement number, 122757, is inscribed on the dial, which is signed 'ULYSSE NARDIN / LOCLE SUISSE' beneath the 12 o'clock position. The case back bears an engraving, 'H.S. ↑2'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Chronometer 56mm diameter”
  • “The watch rests inside a circular brass tub container seated within an open wooden hinged deck box.”
  • “White enamel dial displays black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer track calibrated to 60 units, and movement number 122757 inscribed in the lower center.”
  • “The case back is engraved “H.S. ↑2””

Mechanical Specifications

The watch is powered by a manual-wind 22''' caliber movement. Technical documentation describes the movement as featuring a Guillaume balance wheel and a blued-steel hairspring.

The movement incorporates an indirect center seconds complication and is adjusted to five positions. Internal mechanical components were not visible during observation.

Evidence for this section
  • “機芯 Manual, cal. 22’’’”
  • “featuring a state-of-the-art escapement with Guillaume balance wheel and blued-steel hair-spring”
  • “With a superb indirect center seconds complication and adjusted to five positions”

Open research questions

  • What are the correct physical dimensions of the wooden deck box, as the provided '97cm x 62cm 120cm' is contextually inconsistent with a 56mm pocket watch?
  • Does the 'H.S. ↑2' marking correlate with specific records held by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office regarding wartime issue chronometers?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ulysse Nardin Silver Chronometer Deck Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number122’757“機芯編號 122’757”
Case Number618’986“錶殼號碼 618’986”
CalibreManual, cal. 22’’’“機芯 Manual, cal. 22’’’”
Case MaterialSilver“材料 Silver”
Military MarkingH.S. ↑2“The case back is engraved “H.S. ↑2””

Visible details

  • The watch rests inside a circular brass tub container seated within an open wooden hinged deck box.
  • White enamel dial displays black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer track calibrated to 60 units, and movement number 122757 inscribed in the lower center.
  • The dial is signed 'ULYSSE NARDIN / LOCLE SUISSE' beneath the 12 o'clock position.
  • Fitted with blued steel hands, including a central sweep seconds hand.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and the engraved case back are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • The source gives conflicting dimension text for the box ('box 97cm x 62cm 120cm', likely an error for millimeters).

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

Consulted source

Ulysse Nardin Timepieces for HSNY: Online Charity Auction

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 58360e0dcb

Terms in this record

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

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