Ulysse Nardin

I was recently given a WWII Ulysse Nardin ships Chronometer.  The interior box is in excellent condition, while the exterior box shows some wear but is in good condition otherwise.  The top of the exterior box has a metal plaque "Ulysse Nardin Le Locle (Suisse).  The interior box has a plaque stating the same as well as a plaque with "5764" on it.  It has brass fittings all around, chronometer has matching information on the face.
Does anyone have ant information on these as well as what the value might be.

Thanks,

Dave

Since you consistently wrote about a "ship chronometer", I assume it is something like this:



and not this?



Generally, it is impossible to give an authoritative indication of an old timepiece's value: Too much depends on the age, the movement's condition (while a slightly damaged box normally only barely compromises the value), and also the presence of the paperwork. If the chronometer had been issued to the naval forces of a nation, then there were many documents that confirmed it being handed over, the various service dates (marine chronometers were very frequently serviced, at least every two to three years), the ships it was issued to, and so on. If this paperwork is complete, the chance of the chronometer being sold at a higher price is larger.

Those chronometers are normally not sold at Ebay and similar auction sites, but more often at auctions by dedicated auction houses, such as Antiquorum and Sotheby's. I would suggest to either let their staff estimate your timepiece, or to follow some auctions, to get a feeling for the prices paid. Unfortunately, Antiquorum has discontinued its former user-friendly practice to offer a searchable database that permits access to all past auctions at once, together with the auction results.

Regards,
Marcus

Marcus, the bottom Deck Watch shown has its serial No 120081 (if my eyes are seeing correct) and underneath C. /I\ W. Do you know what the C: W: stands for, as I have the same watch. I asked this question at Locle but got an answer which was more than unbelievable. "Probably it would mean Clockwise, but no certitude at all." This is the information given about my watch Dear Mr.XXXXXr, We thank you for your email and the pictures: the watch is beautiful ! I found in our archives the following information: The movement 27’762 is a caliber 22’ Ancre and has been produced on 14.05.1938. Should you have any further request, I remain at your disposal, Best regards Sylvie ROLOT International Technical Service Ulysse Nardin CH-2400 Le Locle Tel: +41 32 930 74 00 Fax: +41 32 930 74 19

... that would mean: if several deck watches aboard a ship differ in their indication, it is the chronometer watch that counts. It can also be used as an emergency replacement in case the "real" marine chronometer fails.

Regards,
Marcus

the marine chronometer in the gimballed case is classified as HS1 with the broad arrow. HS1 is the Hydrographical Services coding for a marine Chronometer, the most accurate of maritime timepieces.

the Deck Watch or Ships Chronometer in the fixed case is classified as HS2. a high quality chronometer timepiece, but not as high a quality as the HS1. as Marcus quite rightly states, the CW means Chronometer Watch as it is technically a pocket watch in a case

the classifications goe all the way down to HS10 which is just a general issue watch for the royal navy. the fleet airarm had HS9 watches and HS8 Lemania chronographs.

its over 3 years since i actively collected marine chronometers and military watches, but most of the info is still tucked inside my brain somewhere.

if you have a UN Marine Chronometer then you are a very lucky man. they are thought to be of the highest quality, rivalling brands such as Lange & Sohne, Hamilton, Mercer etc. the number on the plaque should match the number on every piece so that you know it is original.

hope that helps a bit

Graham