Pocket watch · Tourbillon regulator pocket chronometer

Ulysse Nardin Tourbillon Regulator Pocket Chronometer

Partially verified

This pocket chronometer, dated to approximately 1940, was produced by James C. Pellaton for Ulysse Nardin in Le Locle, Switzerland. The watch is encased in 18K gold and features a four-body bassine-style case with a polished finish and a hinged gold cuvette. Its white enamel dial displays Breguet-style numerals, an outer minute track, and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial, complemented by blued steel Breguet hands. The movement is a 44.8 mm rhodium-plated Le Locle Technicum caliber, characterized by a curved center bridge and narrow fausses côtes finishing. It houses a three-arm equidistant Pellaton tourbillon carriage, an anibal-brass Guillaume balance with a Phillips outer terminal curve hairspring, and a Swiss calibrated lever escapement. The timepiece is jeweled to the center and includes a micrometric screw adjustment for the regulator. The object is accompanied by its original fitted leather box.

The Ulysse Nardin tourbillon pocket watch presented in its original fitted box, accompanied by a view of the rhodiumed movement. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category: Pocket watch · Tourbillon regulator pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution: James C. Pellaton for Ulysse Nardin
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 256
Source-reported date: circa 1940
Source-reported place: Switzerland
Source-reported serial: 123232

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

The timepiece is housed in an 18K gold case of a four-body bassine construction. It features a polished exterior surface and includes a hinged inner gold cuvette protecting the movement. The crown is designed for keyless winding.

The dial is composed of white enamel and follows a traditional layout with Breguet-style numerals. Minute divisions are marked along the perimeter, and a sunk subsidiary seconds dial is located at the bottom. The display is completed by blued steel Breguet-style hands.

Evidence for this section

“18K gold, keyless”
“Four-body, "bassine", solid, polished, hinged gold cuvette.”
“White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions, sunk subsidiary seconds.”

Movement and Escapement

The 44.8 mm movement is rhodium-plated and follows the Le Locle Technicum caliber specification. The architecture features a curved center bridge and narrow fausses côtes decoration. The mechanism is jeweled to the center, with the escapement also featuring endstones.

A three-arm equidistant Pellaton carriage governs the tourbillon. The regulation is achieved through a cut anibal-brass Guillaume balance paired with a blued steel hairspring containing a Phillips outer terminal curve. The index regulator includes a gold scale plate and utilizes a micrometric screw adjustment for the pins.

Evidence for this section

“rhodiumed, Le Locle Technicum caliber with curved center bridge, narrow "fausses côtes" decoration”
“three-arm equidistant Pellaton carriage with lateral Swiss calibrated lever escapement”
“cut anibal-brass Guillaume balance, blued steel balance spring with Phillips outer terminal curve”
“index regulatorwith gold scale plate, the pins with micrometric screw adjustment”

Signatures and Provenance

The watch bears signatures from both the movement maker and the brand. Pellaton has signed the movement, while Ulysse Nardin is signed on the dial, the movement, and the original fitted leather box. The case is punched with the maker's trademark.

Documentation regarding the object is verified by its inclusion in the 1990 publication 'Le Tourbillon' by Reinhard Meis, appearing on page 165. The auction house reports the condition of the case, movement, and dial as being in 'As new' condition.

Evidence for this section

“Signed by Pellaton on the movement, by Nardin on dial, movement and box, the case punched with histrademark.”
“This watch is described and illustrated in "Le Tourbillon" by Reinhard Meis, les Editions de l'Amat Paris, 1990,p. 165.”

Open research questions

What specific archival records confirm the production date as circa 1940?
Does the Pellaton trademark punched on the case match the specific registry of James C. Pellaton?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ulysse Nardin Tourbillon Regulator Pocket Chronometer
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	James C. Pellaton, made for Ulysse Nardin	“James C. Pellaton, made for Ulysse Nardin”
Movement serial	123232	“No. 123232”
Case serial	647864	“case No. 647864”
Case diameter	53 mm	“Diam. 53 mm.”
Movement caliber	Le Locle Technicum caliber	“Le Locle Technicum caliber”
Publication	Le Tourbillon by Reinhard Meis	“This watch is described and illustrated in "Le Tourbillon" by Reinhard Meis, les Editions de l'Amat Paris, 1990,p. 165.”
Balance type	Cut anibal-brass Guillaume balance	“cut anibal-brass Guillaume balance”

Visible details

White enamel dial with Breguet numerals
Tourbillon carriage visible on the movement
Blued steel Breguet hands
Polished gold case finish

Research qualifications

Attribution of manufacture to James C. Pellaton relies on auction house identification
Exact dating to circa 1940 is an auction house estimation

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

Consulted source

James C. Pellaton, made for Ulysse Nardin, Locle, Suisse, No. 123232, case No. 647864, circa 1940.Exceptionally fine and important 18K gold, keyless, one-minute tourbillon regulator pocket chronometer, with original leather fitted box.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 1cbd21ae20

Terms in this record

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