Only Online Auction
Geneva, Sep 22, 2021
LOT 175
Ulysse Nardin
Military pocket watch, made for the Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.; silver
CHF 600 - 1,200
EUR 600 - 1,150 / USD 700 - 1,350 / HKD 5,200 - 10,300TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE
Sold: CHF 875
Silver (0.800), open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, military pocket watch, with subsidiary seconds at 6, made for the Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.
Case-back engraved with the mention “Property of / Corps of Engineers / U.S.A. / No. 11491”.
White enamel dial with suspended luminescent Arabic numerals; blued steel skeleton hands.
Movement 18’’’, gilded brass, going barrel, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, polished steel index-regulator (stamped “H M / Co.”).
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: A |
Good |
Case: 3-7-9-12-19 |
Good Oxidized Scratched Worn Dent(s) |
Movement: 3-7-9* |
Good Oxidized Scratched Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-25-71-01 |
Good Chipped ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines HANDS Original |
Brand Ulysse Nardin, Le Locle & Geneva
Model made for the Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.
Year circa 1920
Movement No. 690 135 (stamped “HM / Co.”)
Case No. 278 278 (by Huguenin Frères, Le Locle)
Material silver
Diameter 51 mm.
Caliber 18’’’, straight-line lever escapement
Weight 86.3 gr. (approx.)
Signature dial, case and movement
Notes
Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.
In 1918, several Swiss horological manufacturers (Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Ulysse Nardin, etc.) started the production of pocket watches, with or without chronograph, intended for the “Corps of Engineers” of the United States Army. Following the U.S. entry into the war, in 1917, the Americans set up a purchasing office for equipment for their expeditionary forces, “The American Expeditionary Forces”, which ordered several thousand watches until 1920. Especially designed for engineers, they are made of stainless silver, withstand temperature differences and have luminescent numerals and hands.
CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 25% of the hammer price on each lot.Important notice – Special conditions Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete. The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.