Swiss deck chronometer with 52h power reserve Circa 1920

Deck chronometer in mahogany box by Paul Ditisheim
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A rare Swiss deck chronometer with 52 hour power reserve, centre seconds and an external hand-setting device in a mahogany box, circa 1920. Brass movement (∅ 61 mm), spring detent escapement, gold screw Guillaume compensation balance. Silvered dial, power reserve at 12 o’clock, time indication at 6 with Roman hours and five minute numerals. Dial numbered and signed specially made for West End Watch Co Bombay Geneva Calcutta Patented Swiss made, movement numbered.
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Dimensions: 185 x 130 x 185 mm
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Signed: Paul Ditisheim La Chaux-de-Fonds
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Paul Ditisheim was born in 1868 in La Chaux-de-Fonds the historic birthplace of the watchmaking industry, into the small social circle of industrialist families that led the Swiss watch industry of the time. He was a member of the well-known Ditisheim family, the founders and owners of Vulcain. A watch brand enjoyed by American presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson. Paul did his apprenticeship at the watchmaking school in La Chaux-de-Fonds, before working in Ponts-de-Martel, Berlin, Paris and Rotherham near Coventry. He worked at his family’s company until 1892 when he opened his own workshop and founded the brands Solvil of which the timepieces were often signed Paul Ditisheim and Titus of which the watches were generally marked separately. Ditisheim was one of the most famous makers of watches and chronometers, who did most of his research and his publications in the field of precision timekeeping. He also worked closely with Physics Nobel prize winner Charles-Edouard Guillaume and has been considered the father of modern chronometers. He presented his watches in many exhibitions. Paul Ditisheim died in 1945, leaving a legacy of technical excellence and design that has renewed the reputation of Swiss Made.
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West End Watch Co was founded in 1886. The first West End Watches were produced by Alcide Droz & Sons and distributed on the Indian market. During the 1st World War, the company produces its first wristwatches for soldiers of the British Army. The brand became legendary in the Middle East. In 1917 Société des Montres West End SA (the Ltd. company) was registered in Geneva. It was the first brand to introduce in series the revolutionary Incabloc anti-shock system invented by Mr Braunschweig in 1934.