
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Ulysse Nardin Automatic (Ref. 10927-2), 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Ulysse Nardin (maker)
- Date
- 1970s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- ULND109272
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ULND109272)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1970s Ulysse Nardin Automatic (Ref. 10927-2) (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ULND109272), this is a wristwatch by Ulysse Nardin, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
Ulysse Nardin is perhaps best known for their more avant-garde timepieces of recent years, but the Ulysse Nardin brand has a pedigree of of excellent timepieces from the 20th century and before that still captivate enthusiasts today. Ulysse Nardin founded the self-named brand in 1846 LeLocle Switzerland, concentrating his early work towards manufacturing marine chronometers before moving to wristwatches, due in part to his love for the open water. Ulysse Nardin’s work became recognized worldwide for his nautical timekeeping instruments supplying numerous navies around the globe including the United States. SPECS Stock # ULND109272 Brand Ulysse Nardin Style Automatic Model 10927-2 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Silver Millimeters 36.5 Bracelet 2pc Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The handsome case has likely been lightly polished in the past and retains strong and symmetrical lugs with only light signs of previous use. The smooth stainless steel bezel is in excellent condition, showing minimal signs of use. The case retains its original Ulysse Nardin signed crown. The case back retains all of its original factory markings along with the Ulysse Nardin medallion. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The beautiful brushed silver dial is in excellent vintage condition, showing light signs of age and light marks. The onyx enamel markers are all in excellent condition with minor oxidation. The original onyx enamel hands are also in great condition with light oxidation. ACCESSORIES Non. The watch is keeping time, previous service history is unknown.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Automatic (self-winding) watches
Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.
What to look for
- A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
- 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
- A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.
Dating clues
- Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
- Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
- Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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