Lot 339

Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-de-Fonds / West End Watch Co, Movement No. 140, 185 x 130 x 185 mm, circa 1920
A rare ship's chronometer with 52h power reserve, central seconds and external hand setting device
Case: mahogany. Dial: silvered. Movm.: brass movement, 61 mm, spring detent escapement, Guillaume gold screw compensation balance.
Paul Ditisheim (1868-1945) 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 sucessful in designing pocket chronometers.
The foundation of West End Watch Co. was in 1886. The first West End Watches are produced by Alcide Droz & Sons and distributed on the Indian market. During the 1st World War West End Watch Co. produces its first wristwatches for the soldiers of the British Army. The brand becomes legendary in the Middle-East. In 1917 Société des Montres West End SA (the Ltd. company) is registered in Geneva. West End Watch Co. is the first brand to introduce in series the revolutionary Incabloc anti-shock system invented by Mr Braunschweig in 1934.
Source: www.westendwatchco.ch