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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Carriage clock

A late 19th century French carriage clock with alarm

Partially verified

This late 19th-century French carriage clock features a gilded brass case surmounted by a hinged carrying handle, moulded top, and plinth base with bevelled glass viewing windows, including a top observation pane. The 2.5-inch white enamel dial displays black Roman hour numerals, red Arabic five-minute outer markers, and blued steel hands, accompanied by a lower subsidiary dial for setting the alarm. Bonhams reports that the clock is powered by a twin-train movement with a Swiss lever platform escapement, striking the hours and half hours on a backplate-mounted blued steel gong shared with the alarm train.

Frontal view of the French carriage clock with alarm dial and brass case
Frontal view of the French carriage clock with alarm dial and brass case — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
31
Source-reported date
late 19th century
Country
France

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 Architecture and Glazing

The carriage clock features a brass case standing 17cm (6.5 inches) high, structured with four plain uprights set between a moulded top and a moulded base. Transparent bevelled glass observation panels enclose the case, including an upper rectangular viewing window in the top.

Mounted above the upper observation window is a carrying handle featuring shaped baluster ends and a central grip section.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case surmounted by a simple carrying handle over a rectangular bevelled glass observation window and moulded top, supported by four plain uprights and intercepted by bevelled glass observation windows, terminating in a moulded base.”
  • “17cm (6.5 inches) high.”
  • “Carrying handle with shaped baluster ends and central grip section”

Dial Configuration

The clock displays a 2.5-inch white enamel dial marked with black Roman numerals for the hours and outer red Arabic five-minute numerals. The time is shown with blued steel hands in a Breguet style.

Positioned directly below the primary chapter ring is a subsidiary alarm setting dial calibrated with Arabic numerals on white enamel.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 2.5in. white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and red Arabic five-minute markers, with subsidiary Arabic alarm setting dial and blued steel hands.”
  • “Blued steel Breguet-style hands on the main dial”
  • “Subsidiary Arabic alarm dial placed beneath the primary chapter ring”

Reported Movement and Striking Mechanism

The cataloguing describes the clock as housing a twin-train movement fitted with a Swiss lever platform escapement. The mechanism strikes the hours and half hours on a blued steel gong mounted to the movement backplate.

The auctioneer notes that the alarm train shares this same blued steel gong and is wound from the top left corner of the backplate. The lot was listed as sold with a winding key, though movement plates and internal striking components are not visible in the frontal view.

Evidence for this section
  • “The twin train movement with Swiss lever platform escapement, striking the hours and half hours on a blued steel gong mounted to the backplate, the alarm train wound from the top left corner and operating on the same gong.”
  • “sold together with a winding key.”

Open research questions

  • Are there any maker's marks, serial stamps, or foundry initials stamped on the movement backplate or behind the dial?
  • Is the Swiss lever platform escapement original to the movement or an antique/modern replacement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A late 19th century French carriage clock with alarm
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementSwiss lever platform escapement“The twin train movement with Swiss lever platform escapement”
Striking MechanismHours and half hours on a blued steel gong“striking the hours and half hours on a blued steel gong mounted to the backplate”
Dial Size2.5 inches“The 2.5in. white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and red Arabic five-minute markers”
Height17cm (6.5 inches)“17cm (6.5 inches) high.”
Alarm Winding PositionTop left corner“the alarm train wound from the top left corner and operating on the same gong”
Accompanying AccessoryWinding key“sold together with a winding key.”
Reported Working ConditionCurrently ticking and striking (at time of cataloguing)“Currently ticking and striking”

Visible details

  • Glazed brass carriage clock case with rectangular bevelled glass sides and top aperture
  • Carrying handle with shaped baluster ends and central grip section
  • Main white enamel dial featuring black Roman numerals and red Arabic five-minute numerals
  • Subsidiary Arabic alarm dial placed beneath the primary chapter ring
  • Blued steel Breguet-style hands on the main dial

Research qualifications

  • No maker or retailer signature is present on the dial or identified in the cataloguing
  • Internal movement details, backplate, and gong are described by the auction house but concealed in the frontal photograph

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : A late 19th century French Carriage clock with alarm

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 36fa715ef7

Terms in this record

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

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