Ulysse Nardin Split Seconds Deck Chronometer

Technical characteristics

Type

Chronograph & split-seconds watch

Maker

Ulysse Nardin

Caliber

22 ligne

Case Number

381823

Jewel Count

28

Case Diameter

64 mm

Case Material

Staybrite steel

Place recorded

Switzerland

Movement Number

17747

Maker / attribution

Ulysse Nardin

Design

Visible features

• Large 64 mm diameter case constructed from Staybrite steel. • Mahogany three-tier deck box features a metal plate engraved with the brand name. • White dial displays a 15-minute register at 12 o'clock and a continuous seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock. • Integrated electrical contact bolt on the case edge.

Movement and Escapement

Powering the watch is a 22 ligne, rhodium-plated movement featuring 28 jewels. The movement finish includes "fausses côtes" decoration. Technical components include a fast-beating straight-line lever escapement and a swan-neck micrometer regulator for fine timing adjustments. The balance assembly consists of a cut bimetallic compensation balance paired with a Breguet balance spring. The movement is uniquely adapted with a cam on the escape wheel arbor, allowing for the breaking of electrical contacts every fifth of a second.

Case and Dial Construction

The deck chronometer is housed in a 64 mm case manufactured from "Staybrite" steel. The design is keyless, featuring a crown for winding and time setting. An integrated bolt is located on the case side, which serves as a lever to activate electrical contacts via a cam mechanism on the escape wheel arbor. The dial is configured for high-precision timing, featuring Arabic numerals and a split-seconds hand. It includes a 15-minute register and is calibrated to record intervals of 1/10th of a second. The chronograph is geared to allow the chronograph hand to complete a full revolution in 30 seconds rather than the conventional 60 seconds.

Accompaniments and Condition

The watch is accompanied by an original three-tier mahogany deck box. This housing is integrated with electrical contacts to interface with the watch's contact-breaking mechanism, enabling it to function as a circuit-breaker instrument for scientific timing. The auction description reports the watch is in good condition, with the movement and dial assigned grades of 3 and 2-01 respectively. The case is described as slightly scratched. The signature is present on the dial, case, and movement.

Identification

Serial number

17747

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.