Only Online Auction
Hong Kong, Mar 09, 2022
LOT 241
Ulysse Nardin
Ref. 921-22, self-winding, day, month, astrolabe; “Astrolabium Galileo Galilei”; 18K yellow gold
HKD 85,000 - 172,000
EUR 9,700 - 19,300 / CHF 10,000 - 20,000 / USD 10,900 - 21,800
18K yellow gold, self-winding, round-shaped, astronomical gentleman’s wristwatch, water-resistant with case-back screwed by six screws, hooded lugs, bezel engraved with Roman (I-XII) and Arabic (1-24) numerals, blue and silver colour dial showing the following indications:
· Local time (blued steel hands)
· Equinoctial time (overlapping ring)
· Months of the year
· Days of the week (aperture for two consecutive days at 6 o’clock)
· Signs (12) of the Zodiac (off-centre gold disk)
· Elevation and azimuth of the Sun and the Moon on the planisphere
· Diurnal and nocturnal hours
· Phases of the moon
· Aspect of the Sun and the Moon in relation to each other
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3-8 |
Good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Brand Ulysse Nardin, Le Locle
Model “Astrolabium Galileo Galilei”
Reference 921-22
Year circa 1985-1990
Case No. 101
Material 18K yellow gold
Bracelet black leather UN strap
Buckle 18K yellow gold UN buckle
Diameter 39.8 mm. (bezel)
Caliber UN 90, 11’’’ ½, lever escapement
Height 44.7 mm.
Width 39.8 mm.
Signature dial, case and movement
Notes
Ulysse Nardin, “Astrolabium Galileo Galilei”
This wristwatch was the first of the “Trilogy” series, which was introduced in 1985. Named after Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), it is a tribute to his astronomical discoveries.
This timepiece was the first in the world to have all of the following complications: time of day; perpetual calendar; moon phases; moon-rise and moon-set; sunrise and sunset; dawn and dusk; signs of the zodiac; and Solar and Lunar eclipses.
The most complicated function is the ability of the watch to indicate the positions of Sun, Moon and stars, as seen from the Earth. Also shown on the dial is the Tropic of Capricorn. All of the numerous features of the watch are controlled through the single winding-crown.
Due to its complexity, as it was based on the astrolabe, it was featured on the cover of the Guiness Book of World Records and was cited in the book.
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Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Galilei used the telescope to discover that the planets had moons, the Moon had craters and the Sun had spots. He championed the idea that the planets moved around the Sun and supported this theory with his use of the telescope. His observations of the movements of the moons and the planets changed the notions of the heavens and influenced the future of astronomy.
Galileo Galilei is also attributed with discovering the principle of isochronism in the early 1600s. Galileo claimed that for pendulums of equal lengths, the oscillation time is constant and isochronous, regardless of the amplitude. Galilei applied this theory to a clock, that was extremely precise.
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.