Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 17, 2013

LOT 504

ULYSSE NARDIN ?SPLIT SECONDS DECK CHRONOMETER? Ulysse Nardin, ?Chronomètre?, Locle, Suisse, No. 17983, case No. 390152. Made circa 1940. Fine, rare 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. Accompanied by the original numbered mahogany three-tier deck box with electrical contacts.

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

USD 4,500 - 6,500 / EUR 3,000 - 5,000

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.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-13

Good

Slightly damaged
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very 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 used this system for its Breitling for Bentley range of chronograph wristwatches, as have De Bethune.