Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Nov 12, 2006

LOT 341

"Split Seconds Deck Chronometer" Ulysse Nardin, Locle, Suisse, No. 17987, case No. 390156. Made circa 1940. Fine and unusual, "Staybrite", keyless circuit breaker lever deck chronometer with split 1/10th second chronograph with two times 30-second revolutions, instantaneous 15-minute register and Guillaume balance.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

EUR 4,500 - 5,500 / USD 5,600 - 7,200

Sold: CHF 8,850

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets", polished, insulated electrical contact in the band at 9 o'clock. Hinged cuvette. D. White enamel, bold Arabic numerals, outer minute track, outermost 10th of a second divisions and Arabic 3-second numerals, subsidiary seconds at 6, instantaneous 15-minute register at 12. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 50 mm. (22'''), rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 28 jewels, fast-beating straight-line lever escapement, Guillaume balance, Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator, the escape wheel arbour is fitted with a cam allowing for breaking electrical contacts every 10th of a second activated via a slide bolt at 6. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 64 mm. Property of an Italian Gentleman


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is very unusual as it is calibrated so that 30 seconds are recorded in one revolution of the chronograph hand instead of the usual 60 seconds per revolution. This is achieved by a fast-beating escapement; the hour and minute hands are geared to operate in the usual manner. This chronograph was specially made to time events to a precision of 1/10 second. Breitling has recently used this system for its Breitling for Bentley range of chronograph wristwatches, as have De Bethune for their new chronograph.