Paul Ditisheim Central Second Marine Chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1920-1925
Maker / issuer
Paul DitisheimThis Paul Ditisheim central-seconds marine chronometer is numbered 1 011 on both case and movement, and is dated by the auction house to circa 1920–1925. Built under seven Swiss patents, the 27-ligne movement features hatched gilded brass plates secured by blued steel screws.
A raised glazed sub-assembly encloses the lever escapement, flat blued steel hairspring, and Guillaume compensating balance, complete with regulation indices. The source reports that the piece incorporates a mahogany and brass case, a 52-hour power reserve indicator, and dead-seconds electrical contacts, with indirect hand adjustment operated through a milled wheel on the bowl.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Marine chronometer (duration not stated)
- Case Number
- 1 011
- Balance Type
- Guillaume balance
- Caliber Size
- 27'''
- Power Reserve
- 52 hours
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Number
- 1 011
- Maker / attribution
- Paul Ditisheim
Design
- Visible features
- • Circular gilded brass plate finished with a fine crosshatched grid pattern. • Glazed circular platform housing the balance, engraved 'Guillaume Compensating Balance' alongside 'SLOW' and 'FAST' index markings. • Engraving on the lower plate segment reading 'Paul Ditisheim' in script above 'CENTRAL SECOND'. • Movement number '1 011' stamped into the gilded upper plate edge. • Blued steel screws securing balance sub-assembly components and movement plate pillars.
- Identity and Stamped Markings
- Identified as a Paul Ditisheim central second marine chronometer, this movement is recorded under case number 1 011 and movement number 1 011, dating approximately to circa 1920–1925 according to auction house cataloguing. Direct observation of the movement plate shows the number '1 011' stamped into the gilded upper plate edge. The lower segment of the plate is engraved in script reading 'Paul Ditisheim' above 'CENTRAL SECOND'.
- Reported Exterior and Unseen Features
- According to cataloguer descriptions, the chronometer measures 18 x 18 x 20 cm and is housed in mahogany and brass, incorporating keyless winding, a 52-hour power reserve indicator sector at 12 o'clock, and dead-seconds electrical contacts. Indirect hand adjustment via a milled wheel on the outside of the bowl is also reported. The source further describes the dial as engraved with Grand Prix insignia for Paris in 1900 and Berne in 1914, along with inscriptions noting service to the British Government and United States Navy. Because the primary available photo illustrates only the top plate of the movement, the exterior casing, dial face, gimbal mounting, and electrical contact hardware are not visually verified here.
- Plate Decoration and Glazed Sub Assembly
- The 27-ligne movement features circular gilded brass plates finished with a fine crosshatched grid pattern. According to the source description, the plates are secured by four pillars with blued steel screws to the top plate. A raised circular glazed platform houses the balance and escapement assembly secured to the top plate. Engraved markings visible on this circular platform include 'Guillaume Compensating Balance' alongside 'SLOW' and 'FAST' regulation indices.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1 011
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The wooden mahogany box, gimbal mount, and front dial face are described in the source text but not shown in this photograph.
- Research required: Reported electrical contact operation and patent documentation cannot be verified from the image alone.