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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket chronometer

Paul Ditisheim Historical Republic of Neuchâtel 50th Anniversary Pocket Chronometer

Partially verified

According to Antiquorum, this open-face pocket chronometer in 18K yellow gold and enamel was produced by Paul Ditisheim in La Chaux-de-Fonds circa 1897 to 1898. The source indicates it was presented in July 1898 by the State Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel for the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Neuchâtel to Ernest-Henri Bouvier. The case back features an en grisaille enamel painting by Johann Lanz depicting the lame messenger from 'Le Véritable Messager boiteux de Neuchâtel' before Lake Neuchâtel and the town. Engravings on the cuvette record chronometer number 11098.

Back view of the 18K gold pocket chronometer showing the grisaille enamel miniature by Johann Lanz
Back view of the 18K gold pocket chronometer showing the grisaille enamel miniature by Johann Lanz — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution
Paul Ditisheim
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
137
Source-reported date
Circa 1897-1898
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
11098

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

Historical Occasion and Enamel Case Decoration

The pocket chronometer is an 18K yellow gold open-face timepiece created to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Neuchâtel (1848–1898). According to auction documentation, it was presented in July 1898 by the State Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel to Ernest-Henri Bouvier, owner of the annual almanac Le Véritable Messager boiteux de Neuchâtel.

The exterior case back features an en grisaille enamel painting on gold executed by Johann Lanz. Direct visual inspection shows a figure with a peg leg holding a walking stick and a paper scroll, positioned before a lakeside townscape. The auction text notes the backdrop depicts the lake and town of Neuchâtel, featuring the Protestant Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame of Neuchâtel and the Castle hill architectural ensemble. The composition is bordered in black enamel bearing the inscription 'LE CONSEIL D'ETAT AU MESSAGER BOITEUX 1898'.

Evidence for this section
  • “offered in July 1898 by the State Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel for the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Neuchâtel (1848-1898), to Mr. Ernest-Henri Bouvier (1862-1913), owner of the annual almanac “Le Véritable Messager boiteux de Neuchâtel”.”
  • “Case-back painted on enamel on gold en grisaille by Johann Lanz (1864-1941), showing a lame messenger, emblem of the eponymous almanac (“Le Messager boiteux”), in front of the lake and the town of Neuchâtel, where the Protestant Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame of Neuchâtel and the surrounding architectural ensemble on the hill of the Castle can be seen.”
  • “The scene is surrounded by the dedication “Le Conseil d’Etat au Messager Boiteux 1898””

Dial and Cuvette Inscriptions

The cuvette is not visible in the primary supplied case-back photograph, but catalog notes record an inscription engraved in taille-douce reading 'No 11098 / Chronomètre à Ancre / Fabriqué par / Paul Ditisheim / à / La Chaux-de-Fonds / Offert à / Mr Ernest H. Bouvier / Le 28 Juillet 1898'.

The source describes the dial as white enamel with suspended Breguet numerals, blued steel spade hands, subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock, and the dedication '1898 / Souvenir / du / Cinquantenaire'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cuvette (dome) engraved in taille-douce (fine-cut) with the dedication “No 11098 / Chronomètre à Ancre / Fabriqué par / Paul Ditisheim / à / La Chaux-de-Fonds / Offert à / Mr Ernest H. Bouvier / Le 28 Juillet 1898””
  • “White enamel dial with suspended “Breguet” numerals. Blued steel “Spade” hands. The dial is dedicated “1898 / Souvenir / du / Cinquantenaire” (1898, Souvenir of the Fiftieth Anniversary).”

Reported Movement and Presentation Box

The cataloguer describes the movement as an 18 1/2 ligne gilded brass caliber with going barrel, straight-line lever escapement, and a cut bimetallic compensated balance fitted with gold and platinum poising screws. It is reported to feature a blued steel hairspring with a Phillips terminal curve and a polished steel index regulator with swan-neck spring and micrometric screw.

The source cautions that the movement ebauche is unverified by maker markings, stating it is 'probably by LeCoultre, Le Sentier, Vallée de Joux'. The lot was catalogued with an original fitted presentation box bearing the inscription 'Souvenir / du / Cinquantenaire de la République / 11 Juillet 1898 / Chronomètre No 11098 / Fabriqué par / Paul Ditisheim / à La Chaux-de-Fonds.'.

Evidence for this section
  • “18’’’ ½ (ebauche probably by LeCoultre, Le Sentier, Vallée de Joux), gilded brass, going barrel, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold and platinum poising screws and blued steel hairspring with Phillips terminal curve”
  • “The original fitted box (perfectly preserved by its protective cardboard box) is dedicated “Souvenir / du / Cinquantenaire de la République / 11 Juillet 1898 / Chronomètre No 11098 / Fabriqué par / Paul Ditisheim / à La Chaux-de-Fonds.””

Open research questions

  • Does the movement plate or pillar work display any stamped LeCoultre signatures or hallmarks to confirm the cataloguer's ebauche attribution?
  • What accounts for the 17-day difference between the presentation date on the fitted box (July 11, 1898) and the dedication date engraved on the cuvette (July 28, 1898)?
  • Does Johann Lanz's signature appear on the enamel painting or counter-enamel of the case back?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Paul Ditisheim Historical Republic of Neuchâtel 50th Anniversary Pocket Chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPaul Ditisheim, La Chaux-de-Fonds“Brand Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-de-Fonds”
Chronometer Number11098“Chronomètre à Ancre / Fabriqué par / Paul Ditisheim / à / La Chaux-de-Fonds / Offert à / Mr Ernest H. Bouvier / Le 28 Juillet 1898”
Enamel ArtistJohann Lanz“Case-back painted on enamel on gold en grisaille by Johann Lanz (1864-1941)”
Case Material18K yellow gold and enamel“18K yellow gold and enamel, open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, “Louis XV”, heavy pocket chronometer”
Occasion50th Anniversary of the Republic of Neuchâtel“offered in July 1898 by the State Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel for the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Neuchâtel (1848-1898)”
RecipientErnest-Henri Bouvier (1862–1913)“to Mr. Ernest-Henri Bouvier (1862-1913), owner of the annual almanac “Le Véritable Messager boiteux de Neuchâtel””
EscapementStraight-line lever escapement“straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold and platinum poising screws”
Box Dedication DateJuly 11, 1898“dedicated “Souvenir / du / Cinquantenaire de la République / 11 Juillet 1898”

Visible details

  • The 18K yellow gold case back features an en grisaille enamel scene depicting a man with a peg leg, holding a walking stick and paper scroll.
  • The enamel scene is set against a lakeside townscape with buildings and hills.
  • A decorative black enamel foliate border surrounds the scene, inscribed with 'LE CONSEIL D'ETAT AU MESSAGER BOITEUX 1898'.
  • A gold bow and grooved winding crown are positioned at the 12 o'clock pendant.

Research qualifications

  • The dial, movement, and cuvette engravings are not visible in the supplied photograph.
  • Attribution of the ebauche to LeCoultre is described as probable by the auction cataloguer rather than documented by markings.

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

Consulted source

Paul Ditisheim Historical pocket chronometer offered by the Canton of Neuchâtel in July 1898 for the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Neuchâtel (1848-1898); 18K yellow gold and enamel | Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces | Hong Kong, April 25th, 2021

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 55b1c3295d

Terms in this record

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

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