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Lot 181

Ditisheim. A rare and unusual silver openface keyless lever deck watch with Guillaume balance, power reserve and Neuchâtel Bulletin d'Observatoire

SIGNED PAUL DITISHEIM, LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS, SWITZERLAND, THE HIGHEST RECORDS AT KEW TEDDINGTON AND SWISS OBSERVATORIES, COMPENSATEUR GUILLAUME 1ERE CLASSE, NO. 701'316, CIRCA 1924

Closed10 May 2010

Price Realised

CHF 13,750

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Ditisheim. A rare and unusual silver openface keyless lever deck watch with Guillaume balance, power reserve and Neuchâtel Bulletin d'Observatoire
Signed Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, The Highest Records at Kew Teddington and Swiss Observatories, Compensateur Guillaume 1ere Classe, No. 701'316, circa 1924
Gilt-finished lever movement, 21 jewels, Guillaume balance, silver cuvette engraved Deck Watch No. 701316 with Neuchâtel Observatory Certificate Paul Ditisheim Co. Manufacturers La Chaux-de-Fonds 332 State Prizes, silvered dial, Roman numerals, two subsidiary dials for 52 hours power reserve and constant seconds, massive circular water-resistant-type case, ribbed band, screw back centred by engraved inscription Paul Ditisheim 701316 Compensateur Guillaume, case, cuvette, dial and movement signed and numbered
65 mm. diam.

Specialist note

With duplicata of the Neuchâtel Observatoire Astronomique et Chronométrique Bulletin de Marche confirming that the present chronometer has participated at the 1924 timing contest in the "Bord" category where it obtained an "A" rating.

For a description of such deck watches and illustration of a similar watch numbered 703'266 see Paul Ditisheim Chronometrier by Fritz von Osterhausen, pp. 56 - 59.

Paul Ditisheim (1868-1945) is considered a genius in the world of horology. At the early age of 13 he entered the Horological School in La Chaux-de-Fonds where he obtained the Diploma of Honour. Before founding his own company in 1892 he worked for several renowned watch manufactures such as his father's, Vulcain, Ditisheim Frères. Around 1920, he entered into partnership with Solvil.

Paul Ditisheim is renowned for his highly precise chronometers for which he won an impressive number of prizes at various Observatory Contests. He also played an important role during the launch of Dr. Charles Guillaume's compensation balance, invented at the end of the 19th century and which he presented in several of his watches during the Grand Prix in Paris in 1900.