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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

Paul Ditisheim Minute-Repeater, retailed by J. Borbolla

Partially verified

This hunting-cased, keyless pocket watch is a minute-repeater constructed of 18K yellow gold, attributed to the maker Paul Ditisheim and retailed by J. Borbolla in Habana. Dated to approximately 1920, the watch features a three-body 'bassine' case design decorated with a repetitive horseshoe pattern and includes concealed hinges with a hinged gold cuvette. The two-tone silver dial incorporates a guilloche center, large painted Arabic numerals, and a subsidiary seconds dial, all complemented by blued steel Breguet hands. Mechanically, the watch is powered by an 18 1/2''' nickel movement containing 30 jewels, featuring a straight-line lever escapement and a cut bimetallic compensation balance with an index regulator. The minute-repeating function is activated via a slide on the case band. The movement is signed with the reference 'Grand Prix Paris 1900', while the case bears the master mark of Paul Ditisheim.

Front view of the Paul Ditisheim minute-repeater with the hunting case cover open, showing the silver dial with Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds.
Front view of the Paul Ditisheim minute-repeater with the hunting case cover open, showing the silver dial with Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Paul Ditisheim
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
80
Source-reported date
circa 1920
Source-reported place
Cuba
Source-reported serial
28293

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

Case and Dial

The timepiece is housed in a three-body 'bassine' style hunting case fabricated from 18K yellow gold. The external surfaces of the case are finished with a repetitive horseshoe pattern. The construction includes concealed hinges and a hinged gold cuvette, which carries an inscription. The diameter of the case measures 48 mm.

The dial is composed of two-tone silver and features a guilloche center. Large painted Arabic numerals are positioned on an outer plain reserve, accompanied by an outermost minute track. Time is indicated by blued steel Breguet hands, and a subsidiary dial is provided for seconds. The dial is signed.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three-body, ?bassine?, solid, entirely decorated with repetitive ?horseshoe? pattern, concealed hinges, hinged gold cuvette with inscription.”
  • “Two-tone silver with painted large Arabic numerals on an outer plain reserve, outermost minute track, ?guilloché? center, subsidiary seconds dial.”
  • “Diam. 48 mm.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is an 18 1/2 ligne nickel-finished caliber containing 30 jewels. It utilizes a straight-line lever escapement and a cut bimetallic compensation balance for regulation, paired with a blued steel Breguet balance spring and an index regulator. The watch functions as a minute-repeater, which is operated by a slide located on the case band.

The movement is signed with a reference to 'Grand Prix Paris 1900'. In addition to the functional movement components, the watch is noted for possessing extra fine adjustments.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. 18 1/2???, nickel, 30 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs by activating slide on the band.”
  • “movement signed ?Grand Prix Paris 1900?”

Condition and Attribution

The auction description reports the watch was made circa 1920. The case bears the master mark associated with Paul Ditisheim. The watch is signed on both the dial and the case.

The auction house grading system indicates a 'Very good' overall grade, though individual components are assessed separately.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made circa 1920.”
  • “Case with Paul Ditisheim?s Master Mark.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good”
  • “Movement: 3-7* Good Oxidized Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • What is the content of the inscription on the hinged gold cuvette?
  • Does the 'Grand Prix Paris 1900' signature on the movement signify an award won by the maker or a specific model designation?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Paul Ditisheim Minute-Repeater, retailed by J. Borbolla
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPaul Ditisheim“Paul Ditisheim”
RetailerJ. Borbolla, Habana“retailed by J. Borbolla, Habana”
Serial Number28293“No. 28293”
Case Material18K yellow gold“18K yellow gold”
Movement Caliber18 1/2'''“Cal. 18 1/2???”
Jewel Count30 jewels“30 jewels”
Diameter48 mm“Diam. 48 mm”

Visible details

  • Two-tone dial with engine-turned guilloché center
  • Exterior case features continuous horseshoe-pattern decoration
  • Blued steel Breguet style hands
  • Slide-actuated minute repeating mechanism on case band

Research qualifications

  • Condition reports for movement and dial indicate oxidation and wear
  • Specific metallurgical composition of the case apart from 18K yellow gold is not detailed

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

Consulted source

'Minute-Repeater' Paul Ditisheim, retailed by J. Borbolla, Habana, No. 28293. Made circa 1920. Very fine and rare, thin, hunting-cased, keyless, minute-repeating, 18K yellow gold dress watch with extra fine adjustments.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 059cbabe2e

Terms in this record

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

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