116 - Solvil/Paul Ditisheim - Grand Prix Paris 1900

Solvil/Paul Ditisheim - Grand Prix Paris 1900 (*) A rare deck chronometer with a 52-hour power reserve indicator. According to the consignor, this chronometer was regulated by the renowned régleur Werner-Albert Dubois at Solvil/Paul Ditisheim. It was Dubois’s own regulating chronometer and thus the foundation of the many successes Paul Ditisheim/Solvil achieved at the observatory in Neuchâtel. Movm. No. 1089, Dimensions 79 mm, circa 1930, Weight 747 g, Origin: Switzerland Case: Brass, zaponed, ground, screw-down back. Dial: Silvered. Movement: Full-plate movement, screwed, glazed “container” for the escapement and the balance, large Guillaume-screw compensation balance. Paul Ditisheim (1868–1945) was one of the most famous Swiss makers of watches and chronometers, who conducted most of his research and authored most of his publications in the field of precision timekeeping. He completed his apprenticeship at the watchmaking school in La Chaux-de-Fonds before working in Ponts-de-Martel, Berlin, Paris, and at the Rotherham Watch Company in Coventry. In 1892, he opened a watchmaking factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds. He exhibited his watches at numerous exhibitions and was highly successful in designing pocket chronometers, typically featuring a lever escapement. For example, he developed a naval chronometer with an interchangeable escapement system. Ditisheim and Charles-Edouard Guillaume collaborated on the development and testing of temperature-independent metal alloys. Source: Ghul Watch Encyclopedia Case: very good. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, in working order, cleaning recommended.