Rare Swiss deck watch with Guillaume balance Circa 1925

Silver deck watch by Paul Ditisheim
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A rare Swiss silver open faced keyless lever deck watch with Guillaume balance, circa 1925. Gilt finished 3/4 plate jewelled lever movement, Guillaume balance, diamond endstone. Silver cuvette engraved No. 36130 Chronomètre de Bord, Compensateur Guillaume, Grands Prix Paris 1900 – Bern 1914, 170 Records Prix de l’Etat Chronometriques des Observatoires de Kew Londres, Teddington & Neuchâtel. Silvered matte dial with Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, outer railway minute divisions, subsidiary seconds, circular case, ribbed band, hinged back, large ball shaped crown. Case numbered, cuvette, dial and movement signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 63 mm
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Signed: Paul Ditisheim La Chaux-de-Fonds Maker to the U.S. Navy Grand Prix Paris 1900
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This watch is made by Paul Ditisheim (1868-1945), 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 used in several of his watches during the Grand Prix in Paris in 1900.
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Literature: Paul Ditisheim Chronometrier by Fritz von Osterhausen