Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 23rd Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Dec., 1896--Accepted, 12th June, 1897
I, PAUL DITISHEIM, Watch and Clock Manufacturer, of 11 Rue de la Paix,
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention for improvements in or connected with watches has for its object
to provide a watch in which the winding of the drum and the adjustment of the
hands is effected by a fixed winder and in which the case is an imitation of the
external shape of a death's head.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of
a watch constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the
same with the case open, and Fig. 3 is a plan of the bottom of the case, the cover
and the movement being removed.
The head forming the case is composed of two parts, one part A consisting of
the cranium and the upper jaw, forming the cover, and the other part C forming the
bottom, in which the movement is fixed, and carrying the lower jaw. A hinge u
unites the two portions of the box. A lug or eye m fixed at the top of the cranium
receives a band or chain. A watch movement M of any suitable kind is fitted
into the bottom C of the box. The buttons a, b, fixed directly on the winding and
bour adjusting axes through the holes a¹ b' enable the winding of the drum of the
watch and the adjustment of the hands S to be effected.
The two parts of the case are rigidly secured together when closed by a catch E
riveted to a straight flat spring which is inserted under tension in a circular
groove made inside the bottom Caud held in position in the case by two stops V
and V. When the case is closed the conical end of the catch E euters in a detent e
made in the part A of the case and holds the parts together. A moderate force
exerted between the two parts of the case enables it to be opened.
The interior B of the cranium is adapted to be fitted with a compass, a calendar,
a musical box or any other article of use or amusement. The movement M can
also be placed in the bottom B of the cranium, and the base C, utilised for other
purposes; in one as in the other case, the method of winding and adjustment of
the hands may be varied; it may be effected by the outside buttons as described
and shown or by one of the methods used in the ordinary keyless watches, either
by passing the winding spindle through any part whatever of the case, or by
utilising for this purpose the glass placed over the dial as is done in some watches.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
-claim is :
A watch with fixed winder fitted with a case in the form of a death's head
divided into two hinged parts, opening by means of pressure exerted on the lower
jaw and secured on closing by means of a spring or hidden catch, the movement
of the said watch being placed in one of the two parts of the case, substantially as
-described.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.