Swiss deck watch with 52h power reserve indicator Circa 1928

Silver open faced deck watch by Paul Ditisheim
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An important, large and heavy Swiss deck watch with 52h power reserve indicator, produced for the “Bundeswehr” no. 6645-12-145-4672, with mahogany box and mahogany transport case, circa 1928.
Sterling silver polished case with signed dome, screw back with military engravings and reeded band. Silvered signed dial with radial Roman numerals, auxiliary seconds, 52h power reserve indicator and blued spade hands. 4/5 plate movement, chatoned, frosted, gilt, with movement type I, 9 adj., 21 jewels, large Guillaume screw compensation balance, sapphire endstone on balance and lever and escape wheel.
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Diameter: 66 mm
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Weight: 279 g
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Signed: Paul Ditisheim, Solvil, Genève, Grand Prix Paris 1900
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Movement calibre type I
This type of movement with its calibre designed for stability and highest precision seems to be the one Ditisheim entered in most of the many competitions they took part in (categories ships ‘chronometers and pocket chronometers 1st class, according to the Neuchâtel observatory competition terms). So far 10 watches with this calibre are known. Five of them have 6-digit movement numbers. The numbers 701291 and 703266 reached positionings in Neuchâtel in 1924 and 1925, in the ships’ chronometers category. The watches with the movement numbers 703393 (with 24-hour dial), 703446, 703450 and 703454 bear the additional signature “Solvil”, showing that they were made after 1925 when Ditisheim had already handed over company management.
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 Paul Ditisheim (1868-1945)
He was one of the most famous Swiss maker of watches and chronometers, who did most of his research and his publications in the field of precision timekeeping. He did his apprenticeship at the watchmaking school in La Chaux-de-Fonds, before working in Ponts-de-Martel, Berlin, Paris, and Rotherham (near Coventry). In 1892 he opened up a watchmaking factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds. He presented his watches in many exhibitions and was very successful in designing pocket chronometers. Rocket Artillery Battalions A Rocket Artillery Battalion was attached to each of the 14 artillery regiments of the 14 army divisions. This clock was used by the 350th Rocket Artillery Battalion based in Montabaur.