The full inscription, engraved on the cuvette is as follows: "Ce Chronomètre No. 36176 détient le record des chronomètres de poche de 1ère. classe, observés jusqu'à ce jour aux concours de l'Observatoire Astronomique de Neuchâtel, ce même chronomètre, étudié en 1913 au National Physical Laboratory. Détient aussi le record de l' Observatoire de Teddington." This watch was exhibited at the Swiss National Exhibition in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1914 and is described in the catalogue published by Paul Ditisheim (p. 15, C1.30) under the section headed ' World Records for precision chronometry attained by Paul Ditisheim'. Along with a similar chronometer No. 36175, it is also the most expensive watch listel, priced at 9000 Francs. By comparison a record-breaking detent tourbillon was priced at 4800 Francs and a gold astronomical chronometer watch at 5200 Francs ( sold by this house on 14 October 1990, lot 481). In fact, the catalogue has a printing inversion, as under the number of the watch now offered for sale is described a marine box chronometer whereas the correct description is given under No. 36145. It is clearly a simple transposition of the numbers. Paul Ditisheim worked with Professor Guillaume to develop the Guillaume Balance in 1911 and as this watch was entered for trial in 1913 it would clearly have been constructed circa 1912. It is therefore one of the first watches ever to be fitted with such a balance, a fact that is supported by the engraving of the words "Compensateur Guillaume" on both the movement and the outside of the case.