Contemporary Limited Edition and Mode...

New York, Grand Havana Room, Jun 22, 2000

LOT 205

Ulysse Nardin, Locle, Suisse, "Planetarium Copernicus", No. 025, Ref. 801.22, 1990's. Very fine and unusual, astronomic, water-resistant, self-winding, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with functions of the planetary cycle, days, months, zodiac signs and moon phases, with leather strap and 18K yellow gold Ulysse Nardin buckle. Accompanied by a fitted box.

USD 16,000 - 18,000

Sold: USD 18,400

C. three body, solid, polished, stepped rounded bezel with engraved Roman numerals for the 12 hours, transparent case back, screwed bars, domed sapphire crystal with a web on lines that start from the center (the Earth) and radiates outward in a spider design. D. six revolving satined blue rings engraved with the names of five planets each on a gold cartouche fixed with a central disc representing the Sun, the Earth disc fixed to one of the blue ring attached to the Moon which rotates around the Earth, outer gold ring engraved with the 12 signs of the zodiac and the months. "Bâton" two-tone hands. M. Cal. UN-80, movement and rotor with engraved decoration, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring, white gold rotor. Case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

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

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

(1988) Planetarium Copernicus This wristwatch, the second in the Trilogy series, was introduced in 1988. This watch made history as is was the first wristwatch to feature the entire solar system, the sun, the moon and the planets. The planets on the watch are the Earth, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The astronomical position of the planets can be viewed in relation not only to the sun, the heliocentric theory, but also to the Earth, the Ptolemaic theory. This combination of theories on one dial allows for the precise reading of the planet's positions when viewed from the Earth as they circle the sun. The moon is also observed rotating around the Earth. Extremely complex, the movement of this watch is made up of 213 parts. The "Planetarium Copernicus" was featured in the Guinness Book Of Records. Nicholaus Copenicus (1473 - 1543) Nicholaus Copernicus is most famous for the heliocentric or sun-centered theory. Copernicus' theory was a great innovation at that time. This theory proposed that the Earth and all other planets revolved around the sun. This notion was contrary to the accepted theory of his time that the sun and all planets revolved around the Earth, the Ptolemaic system. Copernicus published his theory in the book, "On the revolutions of the heavenly spheres", in 1543. His theory was not widely accepted, especially by the church.