303 - ULYSSE NARDIN, CHRONOMETRE: PAIR STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPHS, CIRCA 1954 / 65

ULYSSE NARDIN, CHRONOMETRE: PAIR STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPHS, CIRCA 1954 / 65 each with jewelled manual wind split seconds chronograph movements with central column wheels, both signed on the bridge, the first with movement and dial numbered 127618, silvered dial with printed Breguet style numerals and outer minute and seconds tracks, subsidiary dials top and bottom for 30 minute and running seconds, blued steel hands and split seconds with moon and spade counterpoise, open face polished chromed stainless steel snap on inside cover and screw on case back both numbered 711873, hand setting button, start/stop button in the band, chronograph/split seconds activated via the crown; the other with white enamel dial numbered 127318, with black Breguet numerals, and outer minute and seconds tracks, subsidiary dials top and bottom for 30 minute and running seconds, blued steel hands and split seconds with spade counterpoise, polished chromed stainless steel snap on inside cover and screw on case back both numbered 711864, case, dials and movements signed, contained in mahogany time keeper's box with alloy actuators, 'Epreuves de Marche' papers, leather RAC official Timekeeper armband, Beyer service papers (and loose service parts) dated from 1973, and further correspondence, service history and previous Neuchatel test certificates between RAC chief timekeeper Gordon Barrit and Ulysse Nardin, each 55mm diameter Ulysse Nardin (1823-1876) was a vital figure in Swiss chronometry of the 19th century and played a crucial role in advancing precision watchmaking in the Neuchâtel area following the establishment of the Observatory in 1858. Born in Le Locle, Nardin studied under Frédéric-William Dubois who had a reputation for making fine chronometer watches at the time. Nardin quickly became recognised as an equally skilled watchmaker, receiving his first gold medal for chronometry at the 1862 Universal Exhibition in London. Just four years later, the company Ulysse Nardin were also awarded prizes for pocket chronometers at the Neuchâtel Observatory. Dr. Hirsch, Director of the Observatory at the time was particularly impressed with their remarkable precision and under his agreement during the 1870’s, Ulysse Nardin developed their very own electrical circuit breakers. The RAC (Royal Automobile Club) was one such institution that needed sophisticated timekeeping devices. It initially started as a British car club rally in the 1930’s, whereby cars essentially had to travel 1000 miles within a certain time period. After the war and as the car production boomed, they introduced gruelling tests of speed, hill-climbing and regularity over miles and miles of roads and circuits. These tests were not only an important part of standardising car production through the later decades, they played an exciting part of what would eventually become a thrilling competitive spectator sport from the 1970’s onwards, and speed recording instruments became an indispensable piece of equipment. The case instrument offered here was made under instruction from A.V. Ebblewhite, the famous handicapper and timekeeper at Brooklands. Brooklands was the purpose built banked motors circuit in Surrey, built in 1907. Another pair of these timekeepers can be seen at the Brooklands museum. Provenance: This lot and the watches therein were used by and meticulously maintained by their official timekeeper Gordon Barritt (1935-2025), and thence sold by decent.