Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 434

Paul Ditisheim, Chaux-de-Fonds, No. 46874, made circa 1916, sold circa 1930.Very fine silver keyless deck chronometer with 52-hour winding indicator in original fitted three-body mahogany box. Accompanied by a 1918 Bulletin de Marche from the Observatoire Astronomique et Chronométrique de Neuchâtel and another from 1920, with original bill of sale.

CHF 23,000 - 30,000

EUR 15,000 - 20,000

Sold: CHF 32,200

C. Three-body, massive, "bassine et filets carrure plate", polished, fluted band, the back stamped with maker's trademark, silver detachable cuvette. D. Matte silver with radial Roman numerals and outer minute ring, 52-hour up-and-down subsidiary dial, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued-steel "spade" hands. M. 56 mm. (25'''), matte gilded, straight line lever escapement, anibal-brass Guillaume balance with gold temperature screws, Breguet balance spring with Phillips outer and inner terminal curves,going train jeweled to the center with endstones on the entire escapement.Signed on the dial, movement and the box, stamped with Ditisheim's trademark on the case.Diam. 65 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

The watch was sold by Louis Lörtscher on April 18, 1921, for SF 2125.The movement is inscribed: "Paul Ditisheim La Chaux-de-Fonds, The highest Records at Kew, Teddington and Swiss Observatories". The inscription refers to the fact that Ditisheim won over 200 prizes, both at Kew and Neuchâtel.The present lot brought him first prizes in Neuchâtel in 1918 and in 1920. A practically identical watch - the serial number differs from this lot by only three digits (s# 46877) - won him a prize at Kew in 1919 for the best in temperature compensation, and another (s# 46871) won him 1st prize in 1917.Timing Contest :Mean average daily rate +/- 0,11Error of compensation +/- 0,08Mean error of positions +/- 0,47Thermal coefficient - 0,003With original extra mainspring and one extra crystal.For an explanation of anibal-brass balance see lot 50.