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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Repeating carriage clock

Japy Frères & Cie 19th-century French repeating carriage clock

Partially verified

This nineteenth-century French carriage clock is attributed by the auctioneer to Japy Frères & Cie. The timepiece is housed in a one-piece brass case fitted with bevelled glass panels and surmounted by a shaped carry handle alongside a top push-repeat button. Its white dial is signed 'Brevet d’Invention S.G.D.G' and displays black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and Breguet-style moon hands. The source describes a two-train movement with a platform lever escapement striking hours and half-hours on a bell, bearing an oval stamped trademark dated 1888 and numbered 99.

Three-quarter view of the Japy Frères & Cie repeating carriage clock showing dial and case
Three-quarter view of the Japy Frères & Cie repeating carriage clock showing dial and case — Gardiner Houlgate. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk
Category
Clock · Repeating carriage clock
Maker / attribution
Japy Frères & Cie
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1017
Source-reported date
19th century
Country
France
Source-reported serial
99

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 Construction and Exterior Furnishings

The carriage clock features a one-piece brass case fitted with bevelled glazed panels and is surmounted by a carry handle alongside a top push-repeat button. The cataloguer records an overall height of 7 inches with the handle raised.

Direct visual observation confirms the brass case and side glazing revealing internal gearing and a mainspring barrel. The auction cataloguer also notes that the case backplate features three sliding shutter holes, though the rear of the clock is not visible in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “the push repeat button located to the top of the one-piece brass case with bevelled glazed panels”
  • “the case back plate with three sliding shutter holes and surmounted by a carry handle, 7" high including the handle raised”
  • “One-piece brass case fitted with bevelled glazed panels on the front and sides.”
  • “Gearing and mainspring barrel visible through the transparent side panel.”

Dial and Indication

The clock has a white dial configured with black Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, and Breguet-style moon-tipped hands.

The dial is signed 'Brevet d’Invention S.G.D.G', rather than displaying a maker or retailer name.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white dial signed 'Brevet d’Invention S.G.D.G', with Roman numerals, outer minute track and Breguet type moon hands”
  • “White rectangular dial featuring black Roman hour numerals and Breguet-style moon-tipped hands.”

Reported Movement and Striking Mechanism

The movement is catalogued as a two-train mechanism with a platform lever escapement. A hammer strikes the half hours and hours on a bell, with repeating actuated via the top button.

Attribution to Japy Frères & Cie is source-reported from movement stampings described as an oval trademark dated 1888 and numbered '99'. The internal movement plate, bell, and escapement platform are not visible in the front three-quarter image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Fine 19th century French repeating carriage clock by Japy Fréres & Cie”
  • “the two-train movement with an oval stamped trademark dated 1888 and numbered '99', with a platform lever escapement and a hammer striking the half hours and hours on a bell”

Open research questions

  • What specific text and imagery are contained within the oval Japy Frères 1888 trademark stamp on the movement plate?
  • Does the number '99' represent a serial number, a batch number, or an ebauche workshop mark?
  • What specific invention or mechanism is referenced by the dial inscription 'Brevet d’Invention S.G.D.G'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Japy Frères & Cie 19th-century French repeating carriage clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker AttributionJapy Fréres & Cie“Fine 19th century French repeating carriage clock by Japy Fréres & Cie”
Dial InscriptionBrevet d’Invention S.G.D.G“the white dial signed 'Brevet d’Invention S.G.D.G'”
Movement Number99“numbered '99'”
Trademark Date1888“oval stamped trademark dated 1888”
Striking MechanismStriking half hours and hours on a bell“a hammer striking the half hours and hours on a bell, the push repeat button located to the top”
Dimensions7" high including raised handle“7" high including the handle raised”
ProvenanceDavid Read Collection“From the David Read Collection”
Movement Train TypeTwo-train“the two-train movement with an oval stamped trademark dated 1888”
Escapement TypePlatform lever escapement“with a platform lever escapement”
Rear Shutter ConfigurationBackplate with three sliding shutter holes“the case back plate with three sliding shutter holes”

Visible details

  • One-piece brass case fitted with bevelled glazed panels on the front and sides.
  • White rectangular dial featuring black Roman hour numerals and Breguet-style moon-tipped hands.
  • Brass carry handle attached to the top plate, adjacent to a small push-repeat button.
  • Gearing and mainspring barrel visible through the transparent side panel.

Research qualifications

  • Movement backplate, stampings, platform lever escapement, and internal bell are not visible in this frontal three-quarter photograph.
  • Attribution to Japy Frères & Cie is source-reported from movement stamps not independently verifiable from this view.

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

Consulted source

Fine 19th century French repeating carriage clock by Japy Fréres & Cie, the white dial signed 'B

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 04d48a8637

Terms in this record

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

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