Skip to main content
Ulysse Nardin. A fine 18K gold automatic astronomical bracelet watch Astrolabium Galileo Galilei, Ref: 911-22, Circa 1990 image 1
Ulysse Nardin. A fine 18K gold automatic astronomical bracelet watch Astrolabium Galileo Galilei, Ref: 911-22, Circa 1990 image 2
Lot 70

Ulysse Nardin. A fine 18K gold automatic astronomical bracelet watch
Astrolabium Galileo Galilei, Ref: 911-22, Circa 1990

14 December 2022, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £16,575 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Watches specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Ulysse Nardin. A fine 18K gold automatic astronomical bracelet watch

Model: Astrolabium Galileo Galilei
Reference: 911-22
Date: Circa 1990
Movement: Jewelled Cal.91.7.151 automatic, 18K gold rotor
Dial: Two plate dial consisting of a silvered three tone fixed planisphere of celestial co-ordinates, beneath a rotating transparent rete labelled with the position of numerous bright stars with the ecliptic shown in gold all within a gold annual calendar ring, together representing the annual path of the Sun (Zodiac) against the background stars, gilt Solar hand marking the annual change of meridian height of the Sun, silvered Lunar hand indicating age and aspect of the Moon, Dragon hand predicting eclipses, luminous hour and minute hands
Case: Polished round, exhibition back secured by 4 screws, Roman and Arabic numeral 24 hour markers to bezel, No.151
Strap/Bracelet: Integral brushed link with alternating ridges
Buckle/Clasp: Signed folding clasp
Signed: Dial & movement
Size: 40mm
Accompaniments: Winding box, Ulysse Nardin service case, Swisstec repair warranty card dated June 2022

Footnotes

The notion of 24 hours a day was derived through astronomical observations. To pay homage to the three brilliant names in the world of astronomy: Galileo Galilei, Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler, Ulysse Nardin launched a series of three timepieces in collaboration with the genius watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin in 1985, 1988, and 1992. The series is widely known by the enthusiasts as the "Trilogy of Time".

The present watch is an example of Astrolabium Galileo Galilei, which was the first of the trilogy. The dial indicates the position of the Sun, the Moon and the stars as seen from the earth. In addition, the watch also tells sunrise and sunset, moon phases, moonrise and moonset as well as eclipses of sun and moon. Not only does this watch present the most unique and complicated way of telling time, it also exemplifies the brand's commitments to engineering and watchmaking.

The origin of the astrolabe is lost in antiquity, but it was possibly a Greek invention of the 2nd century BC. It was developed by Persian and Arabic astronomers and was widely used by the 9th century AD. The oldest surviving instruments date from the Middle Ages and were made throughout the Renaissance in Europe. The astrolabe remained an important tool of Islamic astronomy well into the 19th century.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

New York WatchesOPEN FOR CONSIGNMENTS

Patek Philippe. A fine 18K rose gold automatic annual calendar bracelet watch with moon phase and power reserve indication Ref: 5036/1R, Circa 2000

Greubel Forsey. A very fine and rare limited edition 18K white gold manual wind tourbillon wristwatch Tourbillon 24 Seconds, No.04/22, Circa 2015

Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare limited edition platinum diamond set automatic bracelet watch 40th Anniversary Nautilus, Ref: 5711/1P-001, one of 700, Purchased 7th September 2017

Blancpain. A fine lady's 18K gold emerald set manual wind skeletonised wristwatch L-Evolution, No.1, Circa 1994

Audemars Piguet. A unique lady's 18K white gold diamond and emerald set quartz wristwatch with concealed mother of pearl dial Ref: No.1/1, Circa 2000

Audemars Piguet. A unique lady's 18K white gold diamond and sapphire set quartz wristwatch with concealed mother of pearl dial Ref: No.1/1, Circa 2000

Audemars Piguet. A fine lady's 18K white gold diamond set manual wind skeletonised wristwatch Ref: 77128BC/Z/002 01, Circa 1990

Blancpain. A fine lady's 18K gold diamond set automatic wristwatch Villeret, Circa 1990

Audemars Piguet. A fine 18K gold automatic calendar chronograph bracelet watch customised by Bamford Royal Oak Offshore, Ref: 25721BA, Circa 2007

Audemars Piguet. A fine and rare Limited Edition platinum and carbon fibre automatic flyback chronograph wristwatch with 10-minute regatta countdown Royal Oak Offshore 'Alinghi Team', No.067/107, Ref: 26062PT.OO.A002CA.01, Circa 2008

Hautlence. A fine and rare Limited Edition PVD coated titanium manual wind jump hour wristwatch with retrograde minutes Ref: HLS08, No.30/88, Circa 2005

HD3. A fine and rare limited edition 18K white gold diamond set automatic wristwatch Three Minds Pave, No.2/11, Circa 2010

Piaget. A fine 18K white gold diamond set calendar chronograph wristwatch with mother of pearl dial Ref: 14486, Circa 1995

Piaget. A fine lady's 18K white gold diamond and sapphire set quartz wristwatch Ref: 5075, Circa 2005

Piaget. A fine lady's 18K white gold sapphire and diamond set quartz wristwatch Ref: 5072, Circa 2000

Piaget. A piece unique 18K white gold diamond and emerald set quartz calendar chronograph wristwatch with mother of pearl dial Ref: 14466, Circa 1996

Piaget. A fine lady's 18K rose gold diamond set manual wind wristwatch Altiplano, Ref: GOA38140, Circa 2020

Andersen Genève. A unique 18K white gold manual wind erotic automaton wristwatch EROS XL, 'Venezia Con Amore', Made in 2013

De Grisogono. A black coated 18K white gold diamond set automatic wristwatch with dual time zone Instrumento N°UNO, Ref: UNO DF S06/B, Circa 2015

A late 20th century diamond set 18K gold quartz travel clock with original fitted box London Hallmark for 1996, makers mark JEP

Marcus. An 18K white gold onyx and mother of pearl set quartz travel clock with alarm London Hallmark for 1999

Baume & Mercier. Montre bracelet de dame en acier sertie de diamants mouvement quartz Baume & Mercier. A lady's stainless steel and diamond set quartz bracelet watch Hampton, Ref: 65522, Circa 2000