Very fine Swiss 18K gold open faced lever watch Circa 1910

Gold presentation watch
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A very fine Swiss 18 carat gold open faced presentation pocket watch, circa 1910. Bridge movement, a piston tooth lever escapement and screw compensation balance. White enamel dial with Arabic hours, outer minute divisions, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and spade & whip hands. The hallmarked matte gold case is made by the renowned Huguenin Frères, a scene in relief on the back depicting a rowing regatta on a river, two rowers in the foreground, while in the background a foursome with a helmsman is rowing towards the finish, furthermore, a quay wall with spectators in the background. Dial signed by the watchmaker, case numbered and signed Huguenin Dep., cuvette and movement numbered and signed by the watchmaker.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 125 g
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Signed: Ulysse Nardin Le Locle
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Ulysse Nardin SA is a Swiss luxury watchmaking company. Founded in 1846 in Le Locle, Switzerland bearing the name of its founder Ulysse Nardin. It has remained in continuous production since. The company became best known for manufacturing highly accurate marine chronometers (of which the anchor in the company logo is a reminder nowadays) used by over 50 of the world’s navies from the end of the 19th century till 1950. Furthermore, pocket watches with complications such as moon phases, a perpetual calendar, repetition and an alarm function were produced. According to the last official report of Neuchâtel Observatory in Switzerland, Ulysse Nardin had won numerous awards and honours for its marine chronometers from 1846 to 1975, including 4324 certificates, 2411 special prizes and 18 gold medals at International exhibitions. 

Ulysse was born in 1823 in Le Locle, Switzerland. He first trained as an apprentice horologist under his father, Léonard-Fédéric Nardin and perfected his skills under the tutelage of Frédéric-William Dubois and Louis JeanRichard-dit-Bressel. Two master watchmakers who were experts in precision watches and whose fame extended beyond the mountains of Neuchâtel. Ulysse established his own workshop at the age of 23. Despite growing up in the Jura mountains, he was fascinated by the sea and therefore produced nautical timekeeping instruments. The number of employees in 1900 was an impressive 300. The company was taken over and re-invigorated in 1983 by Rolf W. Schnyder who transformed it into a profitable business. Since 2014, it has been a subsidiary of the French luxury group Kering. Ulysse Nardin has operated out of the same building headquartered in Le Locle since 1865.