Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

New York, Apr 09, 2014

LOT 264

ULYSSE NARDIN REF. 801-22 YELLOW GOLD PLANETARIUM COPERNICUS Ulysse Nardin, Locle, Suisse, "Planetarium Copernicus," Ref. 801-22. Made in the 1990s. Fine and unusual, astronomic, self-winding, water- resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with functions of the planetary cycle, days, months, zodiac signs and moon phases, with an 18K yellow gold Ulysse Nardin buckle.

Three-body, solid, polished, hooded lugs, stepped rounded bezel with engraved Roman numerals for the 12 hours, transparent case back, screwed bars, domed sapphire crystal divided into 12 sections that start from the center (the Earth) and radiate outwards. Six revolving satiné 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 rings attached to the Moon which rotates around the Earth, outer gold ring engraved with the 12 signs of the zodiac and the months. Luminous gold baton hands. Cal. UN 80, gilt engraved, 33 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, micrometer regulator, white gold decorated and skeletonized rotor. Case signed.