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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

Louis-Achille Brocot mantel clock with two-wheel escapement

Partially verified

This 19th-century mantel clock is attributed by the dealer to French horologist Louis-Achille Brocot and carries serial number #47. Housed in a rosewood veneered case adorned with linear stringing and resting on a stepped plinth, the clock features a circular silvered dial inscribed 'BROCOT BREVETÉ'. The dial exhibits black Roman numerals, Breguet-style hands, twin winding arbors, and a visible two-wheeled escapement mounted in the upper sector below XII. According to the seller, the clock was built for the 1840 exhibition and combines Brocot's two-wheeled escapement, Brocot suspension, and Louis-Gabriel's striking mechanism.

Front full view of the Louis-Achille Brocot rosewood veneered mantel clock
Front full view of the Louis-Achille Brocot rosewood veneered mantel clock — Kerkhof Antiques / Proantic. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Louis-Achille Brocot
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1147945
Source-reported date
circa 1840
Country
France
Source-reported serial
#47

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 Presentation

The clock is housed in an upright rectangular case veneered in figured rosewood, decorated with fine inlaid border stringing. It rests upon a stepped rectangular plinth with rounded corners and framed inlay panels.

A circular brass bezel frames the dial opening against the rosewood veneer. The case presentation relies on restrained geometric wood inlay rather than applied metal mounts.

Evidence for this section
  • “rosewood veneered case.”
  • “Rectangular upright case veneered in figured rosewood with fine inlaid border stringing”
  • “Stepped rectangular base with rounded corners and framed inlay panels”
  • “Circular brass bezel enclosing a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track”

Dial Display and Escapement Configuration

The clock displays a circular silvered dial featuring black Roman hour numerals and an outer minute track, with blued steel Breguet-style open-tipped hands. Twin winding squares are positioned on the lower portion of the dial, above the inscription 'BROCOT BREVETÉ'.

A two-wheeled escapement is mounted visibly on the dial plate above the center arbor, directly below Roman numeral XII.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered dial”
  • “The two-wheeled escapement”
  • “Visible two-wheeled escapement mounted above the central hand arbor beneath numeral XII”
  • “Circular brass bezel enclosing a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track”
  • “Dial signed 'BROCOT BREVETÉ' below the twin winding squares”
  • “Blued steel Breguet-style open-tipped hands”

Horological Features and Historical Attribution

The listing attributes the clock to Louis-Achille Brocot and reports a serial number of #47. According to the seller, the timepiece incorporates three inventions associated with Brocot and his family: a two-wheeled escapement, a suspension system stated to have been invented at age 17, and a striking mechanism attributed to Louis-Gabriel.

The seller also asserts that the clock was built at age 20 for an 1840 exhibition, referencing the publication 'Les Brocot, une dynasty d'horlogers' by Richard Chavigny. Because internal movement plates, striking components, suspension assemblies, and stamped serial numbers are not visible in the provided exterior record, these mechanical details and historical claims remain source-reported.

Evidence for this section
  • “Very rare clock by Louis-Achille Brocot with three inventions by him and his family.”
  • “The two-wheeled escapement, the suspension invented at the age of 17 and the striking mechanism of Louis-Gabriel.”
  • “Built at the age of 20 for the 1840 exhibition.”
  • “Serial number #47.”
  • “See 'Les Brocot, une dynasty d'horlogers' by Richard Chavigny.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement backplate bear stamped marks confirming serial number #47 or any markings referencing the 1840 exhibition?
  • Can physical inspection of the internal movement confirm the presence of the Louis-Gabriel striking work and the specific Brocot suspension mentioned in the listing?
  • Does Richard Chavigny's published monograph document serial number #47 as an exhibition piece from 1840?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Louis-Achille Brocot mantel clock with two-wheel escapement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker AttributionLouis-Achille Brocot“Very rare clock by Louis-Achille Brocot with three inventions by him and his family.”
EscapementTwo-wheeled escapement“The two-wheeled escapement”
Exhibition1840 exhibition“Built at the age of 20 for the 1840 exhibition.”
Serial Number#47“Serial number #47.”
Dial MaterialSilvered dial“Silvered dial”
Case VeneerRosewood veneer“rosewood veneered case.”
Literature Reference'Les Brocot, une dynasty d'horlogers' by Richard Chavigny“See 'Les Brocot, une dynasty d'horlogers' by Richard Chavigny.”
Reported Striking MechanismStriking mechanism of Louis-Gabriel Brocot“the striking mechanism of Louis-Gabriel.”
Reported SuspensionSuspension invented at the age of 17“the suspension invented at the age of 17”

Visible details

  • Rectangular upright case veneered in figured rosewood with fine inlaid border stringing
  • Stepped rectangular base with rounded corners and framed inlay panels
  • Circular brass bezel enclosing a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track
  • Visible two-wheeled escapement mounted above the central hand arbor beneath numeral XII
  • Dial signed 'BROCOT BREVETÉ' below the twin winding squares
  • Blued steel Breguet-style open-tipped hands

Research qualifications

  • Internal mechanism, suspension spring, striking work, and serial number marking are not visible in the primary exterior photograph
  • Claim that the clock was built for the 1840 exhibition is source-reported by the dealer and unverified independently

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Rare Louis-achille Brocot Clock With Two Wheels Escapement

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 474a97a207

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

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