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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Carriage clock

French Carriage Alarm Clock

Partially verified

This late 19th-century French carriage alarm clock, dated to circa 1880, features a gilt brass case in the classic Corniche style, topped with a hinged carrying handle. The clock is encased in thick, bevelled glass panels, which offer a view of the internal movement and escapement platform. Its white enamel dial measures 2.25 inches and includes Roman numerals for the hours, along with a separate subsidiary dial for setting the alarm. Blued steel Breguet-style hands indicate the time. An eight-day movement powers the clock and includes a lever escapement and an integral alarm mechanism with a rear bell. The maker's mark, 'CV' within a polygon, is stamped on the lower left of the movement backplate. The object is supplied with its original winding key. According to the source, the clock has been fully serviced and maintains accurate timekeeping and alarm function.

Front view of the gilt brass French carriage alarm clock with Corniche style case and white enamel dial.
Front view of the gilt brass French carriage alarm clock with Corniche style case and white enamel dial. — Chequers Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution
CV
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1880
Source-reported place
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 and Dial

The clock is housed in a gilt brass case following the Corniche design. The structure includes a top-mounted hinged handle, which facilitates portability. Bevelled glass panels are set into the frame, protecting the dial while providing visual access to the internal movement and escapement assembly.

The white enamel dial features a primary chapter ring with Roman numerals for hour indication and an outer minute track. Below the central hands, which are of the blued steel Breguet type, is a smaller subsidiary dial containing Arabic numerals, utilized for setting the alarm function.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه ساعت از برنج طلاکاری‌شده (gilt brass) و به سبک کلاسیک کورنیش (Corniche) با یک دسته متحرک در بالا ساخته شده است.”
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس لعاب سفید (میناکاری ۲¼ اینچی) بوده و با اعداد رومی برای نمایش ساعات و مسیر دقیقه‌ای بیرونی تزئین شده است.”

Movement and Mechanism

The interior houses an eight-day, key-wound movement equipped with a lever escapement. The timekeeping mechanism is paired with an integrated alarm function, which strikes a bell located at the rear of the movement.

The movement backplate features a maker's mark consisting of the letters 'CV' impressed within a polygonal stamp.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع کوکی هشت‌روزه بوده و مجهز به سیستم مهار اهرمی (lever escapement) اصلی و مکانیزم زنگ هشدار به همراه کاسه زنگ در پشت است.”
  • “بر روی صفحه پشتی موتور (backplate) در گوشه پایینی سمت چپ، نشان تجاری سازنده با حروف CV درون یک مهر چندضلعی منبت‌کاری شده دیده می‌شود.”

Condition

The auction description reports that the clock is in excellent condition. No fractures or damage are noted regarding the brass frame, glass panes, or the enamel dial.

The movement has been fully serviced and tested for functional accuracy of both the clock and alarm systems.

Evidence for this section
  • “طبق اظهار منبع ساعت در وضعیت عالی و بسیار سالم قرار دارد؛ هیچ‌گونه شکستگی یا آسیبی در قاب برنجی، صفحات شیشه‌ای یا صفحه لعابی گزارش نشده است.”
  • “موتور به طور کامل سرویس و اورهال شده و کارکرد مکانیزم زمان‌سنجی و زنگ هشدار آن کاملاً دقیق است.”

Open research questions

  • What is the full name of the maker associated with the 'CV' stamp?
  • Was this movement made by a known French clockmaking factory operating circa 1880?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Carriage Alarm Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker MarkCV in a polygonal stamp“نشان تجاری سازنده با حروف CV درون یک مهر چندضلعی منبت‌کاری شده دیده می‌شود.”
Movement TypeEight-day“موتور ساعت از نوع کوکی هشت‌روزه بوده”
Case StyleCorniche“سبک کلاسیک کورنیش (Corniche)”
Dimensions16.5 x 10 x 8.5 cm“ارتفاع ۱۶.۵ سانتی‌متر × عرض ۱۰ سانتی‌متر × عمق ۸.۵ سانتی‌متر”
EscapementLever escapement“مجهز به سیستم مهار اهرمی (lever escapement) اصلی”
Dial2.25 inch white enamel“صفحه ساعت از جنس لعاب سفید (میناکاری ۲¼ اینچی)”
Included AccessoriesWinding key“ساعت همراه با کلید کوک مربوطه ارائه می‌گردد.”

Visible details

  • Hinged carrying handle at top
  • White enamel main dial with alarm subsidiary dial
  • Blued steel Breguet hands
  • Gilt brass Corniche case

Research qualifications

  • The exact identity of the maker marked 'CV' is not specified beyond the initials
  • The original nature of the gilding is not independently verified

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

Consulted source

A Late 19th Century Carriage Alarm Clock

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record f995032f67

Terms in this record

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

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