Ulysse Nardin 18k Solid Gold JUMBO Chronograph Locle Suisse - Rare

This watch has a rich history, having been kept in the family since it was gifted new to Mr. Parissis in late 1947. Mr. Parissis wore it for many decades until his passing, and it remained with the family until I acquired it in 2018. I still maintain regular contact with the family. The watch was produced in 1946, with the movement serial number starting with 12* and the case back starting with 64, all original markings are visible in the pictures. This is not the standard case you usually find; it is the oversized/Jumbo 18k Gold version. The dial is completely original and has never been redone or corrected in any way over its 84 years, with the "Swiss" marking still intact and visible. This is the unique dial with "12 & "6" only marked with round markers, usually reserved for the Day date version. There is minor pitting on the dial, which is normal for these watches as they were not water-resistant, allowing moisture to get through over its lifespan, yet it still looks fantastic. The hands are original and have pitting due to the same reason.

The watch also features the original gift "message" on the back, presented to him in 1947, a common practice in those days to honor hard work with a gold watch. As you may notice, the crown and buckle are Omega branded. Mr. Parissis had them replaced in the mid-70s by his watchmaker, who insisted that the Omega crown was better than the original faded Ulysse Nardin crown, which allowed more moisture through. He never replaced it back and kept it this way ever since.

The original Valjoux 23 movement was last serviced in 2023 by my professional watchmaker (Wostep, Rolex Master Watchmaker, and Omega watchmaker from 1998-2019), who takes care of all my watches. The movement keeps perfect time and is serviced every few years. The chronograph functionality works perfectly and is run every two weeks to keep the oils lubricated with motion. The case has never been polished and remains in fantastic condition with minor marks visible in the images.

This is a very unique Solid 18k Gold Ulysse Nardin Chronograph watch with true value, not including the gold, which is a bonus as gold is on the rise!

Details:

• Brand: Ulysse Nardin
• Model: Locle Suisse Oversized Chronograph
• Movement Serial: 12*****
• Caseback Serial: 64******
• Year of Production: 1946
• Gender: Men's, Unisex
• Case: 18k/750 Solid Gold
• Case Size: 36.5mm X 45mm (39mm X 45mm)
• Movement: Manual Valjoux 23 Chronograph
• Power Reserve: 35+ hours
• Service: Serviced 2023
• Service Comments: Only original parts used, and all original
• Crystal: Perspex Original with some light marks
• Dial: Original dial – Never refurbished or touched up
• Hands: Original hands with pitting
• Band: Real Crocodile Tan
• Box: No box or papers

Attention: Vintage watches are delicate and may encounter issues as they age. We meticulously inspect and ensure that all watches we offer for sale are in the best condition we can achieve and accurately described. Consider the images as an integral part of the product description. Our watches are either cleaned or serviced, maintaining their originality as much as possible. For digital watches, it's crucial to replace batteries promptly once depleted to prevent any leakage that could harm the movement. Mechanical and automatic watches require servicing every three to five years to ensure optimal performance. Please remember this is a vintage and not a new watch so please don’t expect perfection.