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CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
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UID:72fd7bc42b91a1002fd313706ec251cb
DTSTAMP:20260404T062655Z
SUMMARY:paul-ditisheim - Date de vente : 10/12/2025
DESCRIPTION:Nom du lots : Paul Ditisheim\n\nMovement: type III gilt moveme
 nt\, based on LeCoultre Caliber 8\, lever escapement\, Guillaume compensat
 ion balance\, palladium hairspring\, numbered 20853\n\nDial: double sunk
  white enamel dial\, Arabic numerals\, recessed subsidiary dial for consta
 nt seconds\, signed Paul Ditisheim\, La Chaux-De-Fonds\, Chronomètre No.
  20853\n\nCase: 18k yellow gold\, case back with champlevé enamel monogr
 am\, case numbered 20853\, the cuvette engraved Chronomètre No. 20853\,
  Bulletin de 1ère Classe\, Observatoire de Neuchâtel. Manufactured by P
 aul Ditisheim\, La Chaux-De-Fonds. For A. Ernest Doxford\, Sunderland\n\nS
 igned: case\, cuvette and dial\, movement numbered 20853\n\nDiameter: 54
 .5 mm\n\nAccessories: accompanied by E. Greenberg invoice dated December 2
 7th. 1972\, listing the price as $588.50\n\nThe 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 Observat
 ory dedicated to supporting both scientific research and the development o
 f the watchmaking industry\, a major step was taken in 1865 when the State
  Council of Neuchâtel established a system of awards. Prizes were given t
 o the best timekeepers in various categories\, including marine chronomete
 rs\, pocket chronometers\, and compensated watches.\n\nAlthough not awarde
 d a prize\, In 1904\, this watch received a Bulletin de Marche in the Firs
 t-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 Bo
 urquin of La Chaux-de-Fonds.\n\nThe official observatory report explicitly
  identifies it as a Guillaume balance. The final performance rating was N 
 = 7.80.\n\nThis timepiece was not submitted for competition or prize consi
 deration\, but rather to obtain an official performance certificate\, poss
 ibly at the request of a client seeking a Bulletin de Marche as proof of a
 ccuracy and quality.\n\nThe present example was presented to A. Ernest Dox
 ford of Sunderland (1867–1937)\, who served in the engineering division 
 of his family’s shipbuilding and marine engineering firm\, William Doxfo
 rd & Sons.\n\nSotheby’s gratefully acknowledges Mr. Andreas Vierhuf and 
 Dr. Christian Müller for providing the submission reports that informed a
 nd enhanced the description of the present lot.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251210
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