The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999

LOT 56

Ulysse Nardin, Locle, Suisse, No. 8/5900, made in 1879.Very fine and rare, early, rosewood, 56 hour going marine chronometer with power reserve indicator and electrical contacts.

CHF 15,000 - 18,000

C. Three body rosewood box, with brass stringing and sunk brass handles, all the edges and corners protected by heavy brass inlay, the glazed upper section with hinged lid. Brass bowl and gimballed suspension. D. Silvered with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds and Up-and-Down scale. Gold "spade" hands. M. Brass full plate with cylindrical pillars secured by screws, the back plate relieved for the barrel, fusee with chain and maintaining power, spring detent escapement visible through an aperturon the back plate, two-arm balance with cylindrical weights and timing screws, free sprung blued steel helical balance spring with terminal curves.Accompagnied by the Bulletin de Première Classe of the Observatory of Neuchâtel.Dial diam. 100 mm.Dim. 19 x 17,5 x 17,5 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: * 4 - 5
Dial: 4 - 5 - 01

Notes

The fractional number 8/5900 means that this chronometer is the 8th chronometer ever produced by Ulysse Nardin, out of the 5900 pieces entered in the registers.This chronometer was presented three times at the timing contest organised at the Observatory of Neuchâtel:- came 5th in 1879, timed by Fritz Borgstedt- came 4th in 1880, timed by Jacot- came 5th in 1881, timed by Paul-David NardinUlysse NardinSon of Leonard Nardin, Ulysse (1823-1876) was an apprentice to William Dubois, who was considered one of the foremost chronometer makers of this time.In 1846, he founded the famous firm in the canton of Neuchâtel.Up to 1957, the manufacture won no fewer than 3884 Observatory of Neuchâtel prizes, including 1631 First Prizes. In 1861 the firm began a long series of participations in the chronometry competition held annually by the observatory and, a few years later, Paul-David Nardin used to be the timer of the Tourbillon chronometers that were entered in the contests.In 1862, the firm was awarded a Prize Medal at the Universal Exhibition in London and also won the only Gold Medal awarded at the International Adjusting Competition held in Geneva in 1876.During this year, Ulysse Nardin died and Paul-David took the succession of his father as the head of the firm.He was one of the first to collaborate with Dr. Ch.-E. Guillaume in the development and use of his intégral balance, and of Elinvar as a balance spring material for monometallic balances.The firm created by Ulysse Nardin became the largest maker of marine chronometers in Switzerland.Paul-David Nardin was, in his turn, succeeded by two more generations of the family.Literature:For a complete chronology and synopsis see: Ulysse Nardin Jubilee, Antiquorum Theme Auction, Geneva, Saturday October 12, 1996, pp. 9-19.