Ulysse Nardin - The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT Geneva Saturday, November 10, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Ulysse Nardin
    Year: 1950
    Movement No: 127'544
    Case No: 668'852
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12"', 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Yellow gold plated pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Ulysse Nardin Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1950

  • Catalogue Essay

    Minute repeating wrist watches have been the reserved territory of only a handful of manufactories with the mastery of such a complication. For connaisseurs these watches are grails and crown jewels of their collection.

    Whereas we are used to seeing minute repeater wrist watches from the 1950s from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet or Vacheron Constantin, the discovery of a large, exceptionally preserved yellow gold Ulysse Nardin minute repeating wrist watch was a true transcendental moment. Not only had we never seen a similar piece from Ulysse Nardin but we had never heard of its existence either.

    In 1846, Ulysse Nardin, set up his workshops in Le Locle (Switzerland) with a focus on chronometers and highly complicated astronomical wristwatches. During the first half of the 20th century the brand continued receiving prizes at the prestigious Geneva and Neuchatel Observatory trials, and focused its production mainly on time only and chronograph wristwatches. This is why the present minute repeater comes as such a surprise.

    Made in 1950 as confirmed by the Ulysse Nardin Extract from the Archives, the present timepiece could be easily mistaken for an attractive three hand wrist watch were it not for the discreet trigger on the left side of the case. Once activated the repeater function produces an incredibly pleasing chime, crystal clear and surprisingly loud.

    In exceptionally preserved condition, the large 36mm case of the present Ulysse Nardin minute repeater has most probably never been polished. The silver dial has turned a pleasing ivory color, the baton indexes, Arabic 12 and dagger shaped hands provide amazing panache to the watch.

    Most probably a unique piece and being offered for the first time this Ulysse Nardin presents an opportunity to obtain a superb grail piece.

  • Artist Biography

    Ulysse Nardin

    Swiss • 1846

    Founded in 1846 in Le Locle, Switzerland, Ulysse Nardin is a widely acclaimed Swiss watch manufacturer that earned recognition for its precision chronometers during the early to mid-twentieth century. Ulysse Nardin himself was a trained watchmaker under the guidance of his father, Leonard-Frederic Nardin, as well as master watchmakers Frederic William Dubois and Louis Jean Richard-dit-Bressel. Collectors in particular seek this brand's oversized vintage chronograph wristwatches, including the reference 7536-2.

    View More Works

75

An exceptionally well preserved and most probably unique yellow gold minute repeating wristwatch

1950
36mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€61,600-123,000
$71,700-143,000

Sold for CHF93,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT

Geneva Auction 10-11 November 2018