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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Box marine chronometer

Paul Ditisheim Chronometer Movement in Brass Cage

Partially verified

This marine chronometer movement by Paul Ditisheim is mounted in a circular brass gimbal frame within a fitted wooden box. The silvered dial features a central sweep seconds hand, an up-and-down state-of-wind indicator at 12 o'clock, and an off-center subsidiary dial for hours and minutes at 6 o'clock numbered 1003. The dial is signed Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-de-Fonds, noting awards and observatory records. The Science Museum Group notes that the chronometer includes a lever escapement, Guillaume balance, and steel hairspring, alongside an interchangeable removable cage fitted with a detent escapement and Elinvar hairspring.

Dial and gimbal mounting of Paul Ditisheim chronometer movement in wooden box
Dial and gimbal mounting of Paul Ditisheim chronometer movement in wooden box — Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Marine chronometer · Box marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Paul Ditisheim
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1925
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
1003

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

Identity and Configuration

This marine chronometer, signed 'Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-de-Fonds' and numbered 1003, is housed within a mahogany case featuring brass fittings and a shield-shaped mother-of-pearl inlay. The instrument is mounted in a circular brass gimbal suspension.

The dial layout includes a central sweep seconds hand, an up-and-down state-of-wind indicator marked 'WIND' and 'DOWN' positioned below 12 o'clock, and an off-center subsidiary dial for hours and minutes at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial inscribed 'PAUL DITISHEIM LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS' with movement number '1003'”
  • “State-of-wind indicator dial located below 12 o'clock marked 'WIND' and 'DOWN'”
  • “case for chronometer movement, mahogany, with brass fittings and shield-shaped mother-of-pearl inlay”

Mechanical Specifications

The object contains components identified as a lever escapement, a Guillaume balance, and a steel hairspring. The assembly includes a removable cage component.

The removable cage is described as containing a detent escapement and a patented Elinvar hairspring, noted as an alloy including nickel, steel, and chromium.

Evidence for this section
  • “lever escapement, Guillaume balance, steel hairspring”
  • “One removable cage containing detent escapement, new patented Elinvar hairspring”
  • “hairspring: elinvar (alloy including nickel, steel and chromium)”

Categorization and Provenance

The collection records assign an overall date of 1925 to the object, though specific parts are attributed to different periods. The mahogany case is listed as Swiss and dated 1925.

The movement component (Pt1) is catalogued with a date range of c. 1900-1910 and an origin of Europe.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made: 1925”
  • “case for chronometer movement, mahogany, with brass fittings and shield-shaped mother-of-pearl inlay, Switzerland, 1925”
  • “Chronometer movement in brass cage, fitted with dial and hands, lever escapement, Guillaume balance, steel hairspring, in mahogany case with glass top, Europe, c. 1900-1910.”

Open research questions

  • Does the 1925 date refer specifically to the assembly of the mahogany case (Part 3) rather than the movement (Part 1)?
  • What is the mechanical interaction between the lever escapement base and the interchangeable detent escapement cage?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Paul Ditisheim Chronometer Movement in Brass Cage
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Object Number1925-193“Object Number: 1925-193”
MakerPaul Ditisheim“maker: Paul Ditisheim”
Date Made1925“Made: 1925”
DescriptionChronometer movement in brass cage with lever escapement and removable cage with detent escapement“Chronometer movement in brass cage, fitted with dial and hands, lever escapement, Guillaume balance, steel hairspring, in mahogany case with glass top. One removable cage containing detent escapement, new patented Elinvar hairspring”
Overall Measurements131 mm x 183 mm x 194 mm, 3.01 kg“Measurements: overall: 131 mm x 183 mm x 194 mm, 3.01 kg”

Visible details

  • White or silvered dial with central sweep hand, outer minute/seconds scale calibrated to 60 units, and subdial for time at 6 o'clock
  • Dial inscribed 'PAUL DITISHEIM LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS' with movement number '1003'
  • State-of-wind indicator dial located below 12 o'clock marked 'WIND' and 'DOWN'
  • Movement mounted in brass gimbal suspension inside a rectangular wooden outer box

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement features including the Guillaume balance, lever escapement, and the removable cage are not visible through the closed case in the photograph.
  • The overall catalogue record dates the object to 1925, while part 1 is noted as c. 1900-1910.

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

Consulted source

Chronometer movement in brass cage | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record da15f5e2e5

Terms in this record

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

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