Comments:
God I miss an Astronomical watch in my collection, and for some years now, I put 2 names in my Crazy List:
PP 5102 Aka Celestial.
UN Astrolabium in platinum.
But a Planetarium would make my day, my friend...
And yours is simply gorgeous...
A stunning watch ,and I imagine your deep joy to put it back on your wrist.
Excellent job, made by UN on your watch...
The only thing is that for me, it would have been better if UN didn't change tritium hands for Luminova Hands, to keep all in the original condition...
I'm very happy for you, Marcus!
Best, and thanks for this marvellous post!
Nicolas
Back from service ...
Since seven years I have the joy to own the wonderful Ulysse Nardin
Planetarium, part of the famous astronomical "Trilogy of Time". This
creation by Professor Oechslin is already a modern classic in the
history of watchmaking, as well a milestone in UN's company
chronicle.
Within these seven years, I did not hide this watch in a bank vault, but wore it very frequently 24 hours a day. Consequently, the case began showing traces of wear:
Many fine scratches became apparent on the yellow golden case, and, within the last year, some of the black inlays of the engraved Roman numerals on the bezel disappeared:
Movement details
The planets' names are perfectly hand-engraved into tiny golden plates, that are inset into the galvanized rings. The high quality of these details is clearly revealed by the microscope.
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2008-11-11 12:54:27
Within these seven years, I did not hide this watch in a bank vault, but wore it very frequently 24 hours a day. Consequently, the case began showing traces of wear:
Many fine scratches became apparent on the yellow golden case, and, within the last year, some of the black inlays of the engraved Roman numerals on the bezel disappeared:
All
this did not disturb me, but then I noticed tiny black particles
appearing in the movement. This apparently were traces of solidified
lubricating substances, emerging from around the mainspring barrel. I
started to get worried, and contacted Ulysse Nardin's after dales
service department. They advised me - what else? - to send them the
watch, and warned me to wear it longer, since I was risking damage to
the movement.
Six weeks later, I received the message that my Planetarium was ready, and somewhen during August, I personally picked it up in Le Locle. Until this week, I had not even retrieved it from its protective packing, there was the vacation , and many things to look after. Finally, I waited with unpacking the watch until I got my new photography flash unit, since I wanted to try that with a service-fresh and untouched watch. Now here are the results:
Note the lube particles, originating from somewhere near the mainspring barrel on the left, having dispersed over all the movement
Shortly after they had the watch, I received their
cost calculation (*gulp*), which included not only the complete
cleaning and service, but also the replacement of the hands, since they
were still equipped with tritium-based luminous mass, that had already
faded. Finally, a complete refurbishment of the case should also be
executed. Altogether, the price indicated was high, but still very
fair, given the complicated nature of the movement's mechanism. I know
that other companies do charge substantially more for a service on
complicated watches.Six weeks later, I received the message that my Planetarium was ready, and somewhen during August, I personally picked it up in Le Locle. Until this week, I had not even retrieved it from its protective packing, there was the vacation , and many things to look after. Finally, I waited with unpacking the watch until I got my new photography flash unit, since I wanted to try that with a service-fresh and untouched watch. Now here are the results:
As
can be seen here, not only the case was polished and refreshed very
well, but also the missing black inlays of the Roman numerals were
replaced. Unfortunately,it is very difficult to photograph this watch,
due to the domed crystal, that is lacking any anti-reflective coating.
Somewhere, there is always a bright area that is caught and reflected
on the crystal.
The new hands now have SuperLuminova on them.
Also the gold-plated movement is shining freshly again, after a thorough cleaning.
Finally,
I took the opportunity to examine the watch under my cheap electronic
200x microscope that I had purchased some time ago, via Ebay. The
resulting pictures are of poor quality, but offer a certain fascinating
abstractiveness.
Movement details
The planets' names are perfectly hand-engraved into tiny golden plates, that are inset into the galvanized rings. The high quality of these details is clearly revealed by the microscope.
I am really glad to have back my favourite timepiece!
Regards,
Marcus
Regards,
Marcus
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2008-11-11 12:54:27
Simply one of my grail, Marcus
God I miss an Astronomical watch in my collection, and for some years now, I put 2 names in my Crazy List:
PP 5102 Aka Celestial.
UN Astrolabium in platinum.
But a Planetarium would make my day, my friend...
And yours is simply gorgeous...
A stunning watch ,and I imagine your deep joy to put it back on your wrist.
Excellent job, made by UN on your watch...
The only thing is that for me, it would have been better if UN didn't change tritium hands for Luminova Hands, to keep all in the original condition...
I'm very happy for you, Marcus!
Best, and thanks for this marvellous post!
Nicolas
it looks stunning now Marcus, like brand new.
it certainly shows that watches should be serviced regularly and the cost effectively gives you a brand new one. also 6 weeks is excellent for a watch with such a high complication.
one day i will learn how to read these watches properly as i want at least one of them in my collection and unless i can understand it there is no point.
enjoy its beauty again now marcus
Graham
Thank you, Graham, and I would be pleased to assist ...
... in your effort to read these watches. It is not so difficult, really! In the contrary: I massively enjoy observing the sky now, searching for the planets at those locations indicated by the watch.
Regards,
Marcus
Regards,
Marcus
Marcus, one day when fortunes...
Marcus, one day when fortunes change i'll take you
up on the offer. no point getting too attracted to them when i cant afford
them.
up on the offer. no point getting too attracted to them when i cant afford
them.
i can see a theme starting, keep my 3 Oeschlin
watches, sell everything else and i 'might' be able to afford 1 of his
trilogy.
watches, sell everything else and i 'might' be able to afford 1 of his
trilogy.
i've tried to read web pages on them, but get a bit
baffled.
baffled.
enjoy it
Graham
To me, that is one of the all time best watch =) Thanks for sharing... [nt]
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