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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Carriage clock

French Repeating Carriage Clock with Alarm for the Chinese Market

Partially verified

This 19th-century French repeating carriage clock features an alarm mechanism and was catalogued as made for the Chinese market. It is cased in gilt-finished brass measuring 14.5 cm in case height and 18.5 cm with the handle raised. The white enamel dial display incorporates Roman numerals, Breguet hands, a sweeping centre seconds hand, and a lower subsidiary dial. The case is fitted with a top repeating push button, while the back plate is reported by the auction house to feature English instructions alongside Chinese characters.

Front view of the French repeating carriage clock showing the enamel dial and handle
Front view of the French repeating carriage clock showing the enamel dial and handle — Fellows. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.fellows.co.uk
Category
Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
14
Source-reported date
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

Physical Description

The clock is a 19th-century French repeating carriage clock with an alarm feature. It is housed in a gilt-finished brass case and measures 14.5 cm in height; with the handle raised, the total height is 18.5 cm.

The auction description notes the piece was made for the Chinese market and features a sweeping seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “A 19th century French repeating carriage clock with alarm, made for the Chinese market with a sweeping seconds hand”
  • “case height 14.5cm”
  • “Height 18.5cm including the handle up”

Dial and Inscriptions

The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. A smaller subsidiary dial is located below the primary time display.

The case features a top-mounted push button. The back plate is noted to include English instructions and Chinese characters on the lower right.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Breguet hands with lower subsidiary dial”
  • “push button to the top”
  • “the back plate with English instructions and Chinese characters to the lower right”

Condition and Provenance

The clock is not currently functioning or wound, and no winding key is present. The auction house reports minor tarnishing and marks to the case.

The item originates from a restorer. The cataloguer states that internal mechanisms and parts have not been inspected, and the possibility of undocumented restorations to the case or movement exists.

Evidence for this section
  • “Not currently working / wound No key”
  • “Some minor tarnishing and marks to the case”
  • “This clock has come from a restorer and so it should be considered that they may have elements of restoration to either the case or movement”
  • “internal mechanisms and parts contained within this item are not inspected and therefore not known if complete, damaged or inoperable”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific nature of the English instructions provided on the back plate?
  • Do the Chinese characters identify a specific distributor or intended location?
  • To what extent does the restoration noted by the source affect the internal components?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Repeating Carriage Clock with Alarm for the Chinese Market
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Origin and Period19th century French“A 19th century French repeating carriage clock with alarm”
Intended MarketChinese market“made for the Chinese market with a sweeping seconds hand”
Dial DetailsWhite enamel with Roman numerals and subsidiary dial“the white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Breguet hands with lower subsidiary dial”
Case Height14.5 cm“case height 14.5cm”
Back Plate InscriptionsEnglish instructions and Chinese characters“the back plate with English instructions and Chinese characters to the lower right”
Total lot weight1.8 kg“Total lot weight: 1.8”

Visible details

  • Gilt-finished brass carriage case with rectangular glazed panels and a hinged top handle
  • Centred upper time dial with Breguet hands and a centre seconds hand
  • Smaller subsidiary dial located below the main dial with Arabic numerals
  • Top push button mounted above the case frame

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement and back plate inscriptions mentioned in the description are not visible in the provided photo
  • Source notes the clock is not currently running and lacks a winding key
  • Source notes the clock originates from a restorer and undetected restorations may be present

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

Consulted source

Lot 14 | French repeating carriage clock made for the

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record f9ee091874

Terms in this record

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

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