Movement: type III gilt movement, based on LeCoultre Caliber 8, lever escapement, Guillaume compensation balance, palladium hairspring, numbered 20853

Dial: double sunk white enamel dial, Arabic numerals, recessed subsidiary dial for constant seconds, signed Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-De-Fonds, Chronomètre No. 20853

Case: 18k yellow gold, case back with champlevé enamel monogram, case numbered 20853, the cuvette engraved Chronomètre No. 20853, Bulletin de 1ère Classe, Observatoire de Neuchâtel. Manufactured by Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-De-Fonds. For A. Ernest Doxford, Sunderland

Signed: case, cuvette and dial, movement numbered 20853

Diameter: 54.5 mm

Accessories: accompanied by E. Greenberg invoice dated December 27th. 1972, listing the price as $588.50

The founding of the Neuchâtel Observatory in 1858 did not mark the beginning of scientific watchmaking in Switzerland, but rather a significant revival of it. With the Observatory dedicated to supporting both scientific research and the development of the watchmaking industry, a major step was taken in 1865 when the State Council of Neuchâtel established a system of awards. Prizes were given to the best timekeepers in various categories, including marine chronometers, pocket chronometers, and compensated watches.

Although not awarded a prize, In 1904, this watch received a Bulletin de Marche in the First-Class Pocket Chronometer category at the Neuchâtel Observatory. Of the 55 watches successfully tested in this category that year, this Ditisheim example was ranked 34th. It was adjusted by the noted régleur Auguste Bourquin of La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The official observatory report explicitly identifies it as a Guillaume balance. The final performance rating was N = 7.80.

This timepiece was not submitted for competition or prize consideration, but rather to obtain an official performance certificate, possibly at the request of a client seeking a Bulletin de Marche as proof of accuracy and quality.

The present example was presented to A. Ernest Doxford of Sunderland (1867–1937), who served in the engineering division of his family’s shipbuilding and marine engineering firm, William Doxford & Sons.

Sotheby’s gratefully acknowledges Mr. Andreas Vierhuf and Dr. Christian Müller for providing the submission reports that informed and enhanced the description of the present lot.