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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Boxed deck timepiece

Paul Ditisheim Boxed Deck Timepiece No. 98234

Partially verified

This horological instrument is an individual boxed deck timepiece by Paul Ditisheim, dated circa 1925 by the source. Contained in a single-tier Brazilian rosewood box fitted with brass mounts, the timepiece presents a silvered dial measuring 7.23 cm in diameter with black Roman numerals and blued hands. The layout features an up-and-down 36-hour power reserve indicator situated beneath the XII position and a subsidiary seconds register positioned above the VI numeral. According to the auctioneer, the timepiece is powered by a gilt lever movement featuring a bi-metallic compensation balance, 18 jewels, and five adjustments, bearing movement numbers 715603 and 5603 and patent compensation number 98234.

Front view of the Paul Ditisheim deck timepiece in an open Brazilian rosewood presentation box
Front view of the Paul Ditisheim deck timepiece in an open Brazilian rosewood presentation box — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Clock · Boxed deck timepiece
Maker / attribution
Paul Ditisheim
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
406
Source-reported date
Circa 1925
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
715603

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Housing and Physical Presentation

The timepiece is housed in a single-tier box reported by the auction catalogue to be made of Brazilian rosewood with lacquered brass mounts. Visible hardware in the frontal photograph includes brass hinges and corner reinforcements.

The interior of the upper lid features a nameplate inscribed 'PAUL DITISHEIM', 'Solvil', and 'HORA OFICIAL'. The cataloguer notes that the posterior side of the case is fitted with a winding crown, though this mechanism is not directly visible in the frontal view.

Evidence for this section
  • “single-tier Brazilian rosewood box with lacquered brass mounts”
  • “upper lid interior fitted with maker’s nameplate Paul Ditisheim, Solvil, Hora Oficial”
  • “posterior side of the case fitted with winding crown”

Dial Configuration

The dial is silvered, measures 7.23 cm in diameter, and is surrounded by a brass bezel. It displays black Roman hour numerals paired with blued hands.

Two subsidiary displays are arranged along the vertical axis: an up-and-down power reserve indication for 36 hours situated below the XII mark, and a recessed subsidiary dial for constant seconds positioned above VI.

Evidence for this section
  • “silvered dial, Roman numerals, up-and-down indication for 36-hours, recessed subsidiary dial for constant seconds”
  • “Diameter of Dial: 7.23 cm”

Reported Movement and Documented Provenance

According to the auctioneer, the interior mechanism is a gilt lever movement equipped with a bi-metallic compensation balance, 18 jewels, and 5 adjustments. The movement is reported as numbered 715603 and 5603, and signed Paul Ditisheim, Solvil, Patented Compensation No. 98234. As the movement is not illustrated or visible in the primary photograph, these internal specifications derive entirely from cataloguer description.

The auction house dates the piece to circa 1925. Accompanying documentation recorded in the cataloguing includes a Vernay & Jussel invoice dated March 4th, 1991 (listing a price of $3,549.56), with prior provenance listed as Sotheby’s New York, February 8, 1991, Lot 102.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: gilt lever movement, bi-metallic compensation balance, 18 jewels, 5 adjustments, numbered 715603 and 5603, signed Paul Ditisheim, Solvil, Patented Compensation No. 98234”
  • “Circa 1925”
  • “accompanied by Vernay & Jussel invoice dated March 4 th , 1991, listing the price as $3,549.56”
  • “Provenance Sotheby’s New York, February 8, 1991, Lot 102”

Open research questions

  • What specific technical attributes and balance or hairspring innovations are claimed under patent compensation number 98234?
  • Does the inscription 'Hora Oficial' indicate procurement or testing by a specific Latin American or Spanish official observatory or navy?
  • How does the dual numbering (715603 and 5603) correlate with Ditisheim and Solvil production serial registers?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Paul Ditisheim Boxed Deck Timepiece No. 98234
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number715603 and 5603“numbered 715603 and 5603”
Jewel Count18 jewels“18 jewels”
Box MaterialBrazilian rosewood“single-tier Brazilian rosewood box with lacquered brass mounts”
Dial Diameter7.23 cm“Diameter of Dial: 7.23 cm”
Power Reserve Indicator36-hours“up-and-down indication for 36-hours”
Patent Compensation Number98234“Patented Compensation No. 98234”
Movement Adjustments5 adjustments“5 adjustments”
Historical Invoice Price$3,549.56“listing the price as $3,549.56”

Visible details

  • Housed in an open single-tier wooden deck box with visible brass hardware, hinges, and corner reinforcements.
  • Lid interior displays a plaque printed 'PAUL DITISHEIM', 'Solvil', and 'HORA OFICIAL'.
  • Silvered dial displays Roman hour numerals, two vertically arranged subsidiary registers, and blued hands.

Research qualifications

  • The internal gilt lever movement and rear winding crown are not visible in the provided image.
  • Movement specifications, jewel count, and adjustments are taken directly from the auction house description.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Paul Ditisheim | A boxed deck timepiece, No. 98234, Circa 1925 | Fine

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 99af1072f1

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.