Ulysse Nardin

is it Real or Fake? Ulysse Humbert ? does this guy even exist?
May 28 2008,18:09 PM

(sorry this is the correct post ~ posted one under the main category and should have post here as its more specific to U.N related. my apologize)

Hi, i bought a watch from ebay. he claims this watch is from "school of Ulysse Nardin" its under the brand "Ulysse Humbert" and said the person Humbert was working for the company for very short time and made only few watches.

it wasn't cheap at all and i paid a lot of money to him, i really really really hope you guys can tell me if U.N. ever have a watch maker call Humbert and made watches under "Ulysse Humbert" please!!

i love U.N. watch very much but there isn't many available "down under - Australia "

again, i really really really need your help~ please tell me if this watch is real because i can't find any information about it and i am about to go to police to report this person is fraud. and i am running out of time. please help me !! i am your loyal   U.N. watch fanboy !! thank you so much for your time !!  cheers

regards
testrichard

gallery
picasaweb.google.com

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Hi, Richard
May 29 2008,03:53 AM

I have some big doubts that this Ulysse Humbert has something to see with U.N....

Nothing on the dial nor the movement allows me to say that it's something in relation with U.N.

It may be a " neighbour " of U.N but not more...IMHO.

Let's see what the others say...

Best!

nicolas

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thanks nicolas
May 29 2008,05:34 AM

thanks Nicolas ~ appreciate for your opinion

below is what the ebay listing says :

Very high quality mechanism & made by a rare brand  Ulysse Humbert
Most likely that this is the school of Ulysse Nardin.
Very unusual shape hands with the minutes & hour hands having a small jewel in them. The seconds hand – is made in form of an arrow.
Movement - has “wolf tooth” & works very well, on bridge there is gold covering.
DIAL – in great state.
Size- 49mm
.CASE - new made of stainless steel.Any person will look very elegant wearing this watch.We only sell 100% original & authentic items that we get from all over the world.

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It is certainly not a fake ...
May 29 2008,07:26 AM

Since Ulysse Humbert is - while not famous - known by the horologists.However, I do not know if he ever had any ties with Ulysse Nardin. The Christian name "Ulysse" or "Ulysses" was not that rare in French and English speaking countries in the 19th century. Ulysse Humbert is still known for fine chronographs, sometimes even with a "flashing second", a seconde foudroyante. One of these had been sold by Antiquorum in 1995.

Your piece in particular is not a complicated one, though. It is a rather simple, yet well-finished movement with Swiss lever escapement, which had a prolonged anchor in order to permit a large diameter balance wheel. This was not a rare construction at that time.

That the movement had been put in a modern wristwatch case is reducing its value for collectors, but increases its practical value. I very much like the wonderful dial (hope it has no cracks or stains) and the unique hands.

I would not consider this watch as a value to grow substantially in the future. But it certainly is far from a cheap watch, and I would enjoy it.

Regards,
Marcus

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thanks for teaching me about the watch Marcus
Jun 03 2008,08:36 AM

hello marcus, really thank you for teach me more about my watch, i paid U$1164 for it, do you think it was worth it now that the case is remake and parts could very possibly been restore most of it ??

i know value of a watch is very subjective, but this is my 1st watch i bought myself instead of present. take care

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I asked a German watchmaker who is highly experienced with vintage pieces ...
Jun 04 2008,01:04 AM

... and very active in horological history, and he told me that 1,300 Dollars would be a reasonable price, given the watch is in perfectly working condition; not a steal, but also not overpriced.

Best regards,
Marcus

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Thanks Marcus
Jun 04 2008,02:35 AM

Thanks Marcus for your time and work ~~ i guess i will end my doubts here and treat my 1st watch collection with care all the best and many thanks to you !! i m at ease now ~ cheers

regards
Mark

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