Ulysse Nardin Monopusher Chronograph, White 'Porcelain' Dial

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

Ulysse Nardin was founded in 1846 by its namesake, a twenty-three-year-old watchmaker who set up shop in Le Locle, Switzerland. From the very beginning, Nardin was interested in producing high-functioning instruments that could be trusted at sea. That focus on precision soon turned the company into a quiet powerhouse among navigators. The marine chronometer became the brand's calling card, and it proved to be a serious business. Ulysse Nardin's chronometers were adopted by more than fifty navies around the world, and the company collected award after award for accuracy along the way. By the late nineteenth century, the name was synonymous with reliable timekeeping on the open water. With the rising popularity of wrist watches in the early twentieth century, UN adapted to the shift and carried much of what they had previously been known for into their wrist-bound timepieces. The piece that we have here is a chronograph dating to circa the 1930s, and what a beauty it is! The case measures approximately 33mm in diameter and features 'fixed' bar lugs, a flat 'pumpkin' crown, and an 'oval' pusher at the 2 o'clock position to operate all functions of the chronograph. The case itself is excellent, very nicely preserved with symmetrical proportions, sharp edges on the lug undersides, and shows normal wear from age with some light tooling marks. Inside, the stark white dial is almost entirely devoid of wear or patina, largely due to its porcelain composition. The surface has a recessed inner-circle with subsidiary registers that are recessed further still, a outer scale rendered in red, and stunning black printed 'Breguet' indices, minute markers, and UN text. The blued-steel 'syringe' handset ties it all together nicely and exhibits a light oxidation. It is powered by the Valjoux Cal. 22 — a robust and proven monopusher chronograph movement that found its way into a myriad of delightful chronographs in the first half of the twentieth century. Last but not least, this piece is accompanied by its inner box and serialized guarantee papers. An incredibly rare find for a watch thats pushing 100-years old. Even in the world of vintage, UN flies under the radar and remain largely overlooked. A shame, because if you dig deep enough into their catalog, there are absolute stunners to be found. This piece offers looks, pedigree, and presence that just exudes special. Thats because it is.