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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Carriage clock

Ravoux Striking Carriage Clock with Calendar and Fitted Box

Partially verified

This late 19th-century French carriage clock is signed to the dial centre by Ravoux, Paris. The brass case features bevelled glass panels, an observation aperture to the moulded top, and a folding brass carrying handle. The white enamel dial presents Roman numerals and blued steel hands, positioned above three subsidiary calendar dials indicating the day of the week, date, and month. The source reports a two-train movement equipped with an alarm-setting dial on the backplate, striking and alarm bells positioned beneath the case, and a platform lever escapement. The clock stands alongside a fitted brown leather travelling outer case.

Front three-quarter view of the carriage clock alongside its fitted leather travel case
Front three-quarter view of the carriage clock alongside its fitted leather travel case — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution
Ravoux
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
0346
Source-reported date
late 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

Case Construction and Exterior Form

The carriage clock features a brass case surmounted by a brass carrying handle set above a glazed observation window on a moulded top. The sides are fitted with bevelled glass panels, and the case rests upon a moulded base.

The timepiece is accompanied by a fitted leather travelling box described in the auction catalogue as original. The lot is listed with an overall height measurement of 20 centimetres (8 inches).

Evidence for this section
  • “The case surmounted by a brass carrying handle over a glazed observation window to a moulded top, the sides fitted with bevelled glass panels, raised on a moulded base.”
  • “sold together with the original fitted leather travelling box. 20cms (8ins) high.”

Dial Configuration

The clock has a 3.5-inch white enamel Roman dial with blued steel hands, signed to the centre "Ravoux, Paris".

The lower section of the dial features three subsidiary dials: the left displays the day of the week, the centre indicates the date, and the right registers the month.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 3.5-inch white enamel Roman dial with blued steel hands, signed to the centre Ravoux, Paris”
  • “the lower section with three subsidiary dials: left for day of the week, centre for date and right for month.”

Reported Movement and Mechanism

The movement components are internal and not visible in the primary photograph, but the auction description records a two-train movement with a Roman alarm-setting dial mounted to the backplate and wound from the top left.

The striking mechanism is described as sounding the hours on a larger bell mounted beneath the case via steel linkages from the strike train, with the alarm sounding on a separate bell also positioned beneath. The escapement is catalogued as a platform escapement featuring a cut and compensated balance with 24 timing weights and an English-style lever escapement. The auction house noted the movement was currently ticking and striking at cataloguing, though long-term working condition is not guaranteed.

Evidence for this section
  • “The two-train movement with Roman alarm-setting dial mounted to the backplate and wound from the top left, the alarm sounding on a bell mounted beneath the case, the clock striking the hours on a larger bell also mounted beneath via steel linkages from the strike train; the platform escapement with cut and compensated balance with 24 timing weights and English-style lever escapement.”
  • “Currently ticking and striking”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement backplate bear any maker stamps, serial numbers, or blanc-roulant trademarks (such as Drocourt or Japy Frères) beneath the Ravoux retailer signature?
  • Is a winding or setting key present with the fitted leather box, as none is explicitly listed in the source description?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ravoux Striking Carriage Clock with Calendar and Fitted Box
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRavoux, Paris“signed to the centre Ravoux, Paris”
Datelate 19th century“A good late 19th century striking carriage clock”
Dial description3.5-inch white enamel Roman dial“The 3.5-inch white enamel Roman dial with blued steel hands”
Subsidiary dialsDay, date, and month“three subsidiary dials: left for day of the week, centre for date and right for month”
Movement configurationTwo-train with platform escapement“The two-train movement with Roman alarm-setting dial mounted to the backplate”
Height20cms (8ins)“20cms (8ins) high.”
Escapement detailsPlatform escapement with cut and compensated balance carrying 24 timing weights and English-style lever escapement“the platform escapement with cut and compensated balance with 24 timing weights and English-style lever escapement.”
Alarm setting positionRoman alarm-setting dial mounted on backplate, wound from top left“Roman alarm-setting dial mounted to the backplate and wound from the top left”
Striking bell arrangementHours on a larger bell beneath via steel linkages; alarm on a separate bell beneath“the alarm sounding on a bell mounted beneath the case, the clock striking the hours on a larger bell also mounted beneath via steel linkages from the strike train”

Visible details

  • Glazed brass carriage clock case with a hinged top carry handle and moulded base
  • Main white enamel dial showing Roman hours above three smaller subsidiary calendar dials
  • Accompanied by a tall brown leather fitted outer travelling case with a brass handle

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, escapement, and rear plate are not directly visible in the image
  • Current operational condition is source-reported only

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

Consulted source

A Good Late 19th Century Striking Carriage Clock With Original Fitted Box Ravoux, Paris 2 - Jun 22, 2026 | Bonhams In United Kingdom

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record abe0a9a2d2

Terms in this record

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

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