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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Carriage clock

Miniature Carriage Clock with Mock Tortoise Shell Case

Partially verified

This miniature carriage clock is constructed with a case finished in a mock tortoise shell resin. It features solid silver elements, including the bezel, hinge, bun feet, and an Art Nouveau-influenced carry handle. The clock houses an enamel dial with Roman numerals and delicate hands. The auction description notes the hallmarks present on the handle and hinge indicate manufacture by William Comyns Silversmiths in London in 1908. Internally, the movement has undergone an overhaul and is stated to provide a seven-day power reserve when fully wound. The physical dimensions are reported as 50 by 51 by 99 millimetres. The case shows evidence of a previous repair to the rear door. Despite the conflicting date provided in the source metadata, the primary text specifies the creation date through hallmark analysis as 1908.

Front view of the miniature carriage clock featuring a mock tortoise shell case and silver handle.
Front view of the miniature carriage clock featuring a mock tortoise shell case and silver handle. — It's About Time (The Clock & Watch Shop). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
theclockandwatchshop.co.uk
Category
Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution
William Comyns Silversmiths
Reference
CL-CA-1780-1
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1908
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

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 Aesthetic Features

The clock features a rectangular case constructed from mock tortoise shell resin. The design incorporates several components executed in solid silver, including the bezel surrounding the dial, the hinge mechanism, and four bun feet supporting the base.

An integrated carry handle sits atop the case, designed with Art Nouveau aesthetic influences. The rear door of the clock displays a crack that has been subjected to professional repair, as reported in the auction description.

Evidence for this section
  • “The classic Art Nouveau inspired carry handle, hinge, bun feet and bezel are all solid silver.”
  • “The case is in good condition with a slight crack to the rear door (which has been professionally repaired)”

Dial and Timekeeping

The timepiece is fitted with a round, white enamel dial. The layout uses Roman numerals for the hour markers and includes a set of delicate hands.

A hairline fracture is reported on the enamel surface, specifically located at the four o'clock position. The movement is a seven-day duration mechanism that has been fully overhauled by the seller.

Evidence for this section
  • “The enamel dial is in excellent condition with only a hairline at the 4 o'clock position, delicate hands and Roman numerals.”
  • “The movement has been fully overhauled and runs for a week once fully wound.”

Signatures and Attribution

The manufacturer is identified as William Comyns Silversmiths of London. The attribution is based on hallmark evidence found on the silver handle and hinge components.

While the product page metadata suggests a date of 1927, the primary description explicitly identifies the year of manufacture as 1908 based on the assay hallmarks.

Evidence for this section
  • “The hallmarks on the handle and hinge tell us that it was made by William Comyns Silversmiths of London, in 1908.”

Open research questions

  • Verification of the London assay hallmarks to confirm the 1908 date versus the 1927 date
  • Documentation of the specific overhaul performed on the seven-day movement

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Miniature Carriage Clock with Mock Tortoise Shell Case
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWilliam Comyns Silversmiths“made by William Comyns Silversmiths of London”
Manufacturing Date1908“made by William Comyns Silversmiths of London, in 1908.”
Case MaterialResin and silver“'mock' tortoise shell case. The classic Art Nouveau inspired carry handle, hinge, bun feet and bezel are all solid silver.”
Dimensions50 x 51 x 99 mm“50 × 51 × 99 mm”
Movement Duration7 days“runs for a week once fully wound.”
ConditionHairline crack on dial and repaired rear door“slight crack to the rear door (which has been professionally repaired) The enamel dial is in excellent condition with only a hairline at the 4 o'clock position”

Visible details

  • Mock tortoise shell resin case body
  • Four silver bun-style feet
  • White enamel dial with Roman numeral indices
  • Silver handle with visible curved design

Research qualifications

  • Discrepancy in date between description (1908) and metadata (1927)
  • The extent of the rear door repair is not visually documented

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

Consulted source

Miniature Carriage Clock by William Comyns

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 1b2621dda1

Terms in this record

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

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