139 - Ulysse Nardin Le Locle - Observatory Ship's Chronometer

Ulysse Nardin Le Locle - Observatory Ship's Chronometer (*) A decorative and exquisite ship's chronometer with a 56-hour power reserve indicator—regulated by Henri Rosat and Henri Gerber, and entered in the “Chronomètres de Marine 1re Classe” chronometer competition in 1912 at the Neuchâtel Observatory, with an average daily rate deviation of 0.10 seconds—with an excerpt from the chronometer archives by Andreas Hidding Movm. No. 493, Cal. 95mm, Case No. 493, Dimensions 245 x 245 x 240 mm, circa 1912, Origin: Switzerland, Original box, Original certificate Case: Mahogany, transport box. Dial: Silvered. Movement: Brass movement, chain/fusee, spring detent escapement based on Thomas Earnshaw’s design, bimetallic chronometer balance with 2 screws and 4 weights, 2 terminal curves by Phillips. An Ulysse Nardin ship’s chronometer is an extremely accurate mechanical marine chronometer that the Swiss brand Ulysse Nardin originally produced for seafaring, scientific expeditions, and navies around the world. Before the invention of GPS and radio time signals, navigators relied on precise timepieces to determine longitude at sea. Beginning in the mid-19th century, the manufacture in Le Locle supplied more than fifty of the world’s navies with its deck chronometers and won numerous precision competitions. Historical ship and deck chronometers were mounted in special wooden boxes using a gimbal suspension, so that the movement remained horizontal regardless of the ship’s movements. Case: very good. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.