Swiss deck chronometer with 52h power reserve Circa 1920

Deck chronometer in mahogany box
–
A rare Swiss center seconds deck chronometer with 52 hour power reserve and an external hand setting device in a mahogany box made Paul Ditisheim in La Chaux-de-Fonds, circa 1920. Brass movement, ∅ 61 mm, a spring detent chronometer escapement and Guillaume gold screw compensation balance. Silvered dial with outer second markers, Arabic ten second numerals, a subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock with Roman hours, an outer minute track and Arabic five minute numerals, inner 24 hour indication, makers mark P.D., power reserve indicator at 12 and blued hands. Dial signed and numbered, movement signed.
–
Dimensions: 185 x 130 x 18 5mm
–
Signed: specially made for West End Watch Co Bombay Geneva Calcutta Swiss made
–
Paul Ditisheim, born in 1868 and died in 1945, was one of the most important Swiss watch and chronometer makers. He researched and published primarily on topics of precision time measurement. After training at the Watchmaking School in La Chaux-de-Fonds, he worked in Ponts-de-Martel, Berlin, Paris and Rotherham in Coventry. In 1892, he opened a watch factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds and soon became one of the most successful pocket and on-board chronometer makers, winning numerous first prizes in countless competitions.
–
The brand West End Watch Co was founded in 1886. The first watches were manufactured by Alcide Droz & Sons for the Indian market. During the First World War, the company’s first wristwatches were produced for soldiers in the British Army and the watches gained a legendary reputation in the Middle East. In 1917, Société des Montres West End SA was registered in Geneva. West End Watch Co is the first manufacturer to use the revolutionary Incabloc® shock protection invented by Georges Braunschweig in 1934.