Clock · Crystal regulator

French Oval Crystal Regulator with Champlevé by S. Marti & Cie

Partially verified

According to Renaissance Antiques, this French oval crystal regulator clock dates to circa 1885 and is attributed to Samuel Marti & Cie of Paris. The timepiece is housed in a gilt brass case featuring curved beveled glass panels and borders of colorful champlevé enamel with blue tones. Its cream enamel dial displays Arabic numerals, painted floral swags, and gilt fleur-de-lis hands, complemented by a champlevé center and bezel. The source reports an 8-day spring-driven Pendule de Paris movement striking a tuned gong on the hour and half-hour, alongside a double-vial mercury-style pendulum.

Front view of the gilt brass oval crystal regulator with champlevé enamel decoration and double-vial pendulum — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category: Clock · Crystal regulator
Maker / attribution: Samuel Marti & Cie
Reference: ROSA 893 P
Catalogue / lot identifier: Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date: Circa 1885
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 Enamel Decoration

The clock is built in an oval gilt brass case fitted with curved beveled glass panels enclosing the movement compartment. Visual examination notes champlevé enamel friezes along the top cornice and base, which the seller states feature predominantly blue undertones.

Matching champlevé enamel decoration is applied to the central disc of the dial, the dial bezel, and the decorative frame of the double-vial pendulum.

Evidence for this section

“Oval gilt brass case fitted with curved glazed panels and decorated with champlevé enamel friezes along the top and base.”
“Curved Beveled Glass Panels”
“Colorful champlevé enamel with predominantly blue undertones accents the gilt brass case.”
“Champlevé enamel accents applied to the central dial disc, outer dial bezel, and pendulum frame.”

Dial and Indication

The dial features a cream-colored enamel ring displaying Arabic numerals, painted floral swag garlands, and gilt fleur-de-lis hands. Two winding apertures are set in the dial surface.

A central champlevé enamel medallion sits inside the chapter ring, coordinated with the outer bezel surround.

Evidence for this section

“Cream enamel dial featuring Arabic numerals, floral garlands, two winding apertures, and gilt hands.”
“cream-colored enamel dial appointed with floral swag, Arabic numerals, and gilt fleur de lis hands.”
“Also with decorative champlevé accents to the central dial and bezel”

Movement and Striking Mechanism

The source describes an 8-day spring-driven Pendule de Paris movement attributed to Samuel Marti & Cie, striking a tuned gong on the hour and half-hour. Visual inspection confirms a coiled gong mounted in the glazed case behind the suspension.

The pendulum bob is configured with two vials in the style of a mercury pendulum, flanked by gilt and champlevé framework. Internal backplate marks and physical movement stamps are not visible in the available photograph and remain unverified.

Evidence for this section

“8-day spring-driven Pendule de Paris movement keeps the time and strikes a tuned gong at the hour and half-hour.”
“Coiled gong visible within the glazed interior behind the pendulum suspension.”
“Two-vial pendulum bob positioned below the movement assembly.”
“double vial mercury pendulum”

Open research questions

Does the movement backplate bear Samuel Marti & Cie medals, stamps, or date marks verifying the attribution and circa 1885 date?
Do the pendulum cylinders contain liquid elemental mercury or faux mercury glass inserts?
Are foundry, maker, or model stamps present on the underside or structural framework of the gilt brass case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Oval Crystal Regulator with Champlevé by S. Marti & Cie
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Samuel Marti & Cie	“French Samuel Marti & Cie; Paris, France”
Movement	8-Day Pendule de Paris	“8-Day Pendule de Paris Movement”
Case Materials	Gilt brass, champlevé enamel, curved beveled glass	“Gilt Brass Case with Champlevé Enamel Curved Beveled Glass Panels”
Striking Mechanism	Gong strike at hour and half-hour	“Gong Strike at the Hour and Half-hour”
Dimensions	11″H x 9″W x 7″D	“11″H x 9″W x 7″D”
Date	Circa 1885	“Circa 1885”
Hands Style	Gilt fleur-de-lis	“gilt fleur de lis hands”
Dial Ground	Cream-colored enamel with floral swag	“cream-colored enamel dial appointed with floral swag”

Visible details

Oval gilt brass case fitted with curved glazed panels and decorated with champlevé enamel friezes along the top and base.
Cream enamel dial featuring Arabic numerals, floral garlands, two winding apertures, and gilt hands.
Champlevé enamel accents applied to the central dial disc, outer dial bezel, and pendulum frame.
Two-vial pendulum bob positioned below the movement assembly.
Coiled gong visible within the glazed interior behind the pendulum suspension.

Research qualifications

Movement backplate, maker stamps, and internal mechanism details are not visible in the photograph.
Maker attribution and movement specifications are source-reported and unverified by visible markings.

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

Consulted source

French Oval Crystal Regulator with Champlevé by S. Marti & Cie - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 253dff8299

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