Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Electrically-driven pendulum clock

Type A 'Bulle' electric clock

Partially verified

The Type A 'Bulle' electrically-driven pendulum clock, bearing serial number 6160, dates from 1915 to 1925 and is preserved under object number 1922-675 in the Science Museum Group Collection. The museum records that the clock was manufactured in France and sold by British Horo-Electric Ltd. of 109 Kingsway, London, England. Encased within a clear glass shade, the instrument features an open-center silvered or white dial displaying Arabic numerals and movement wheelwork, mounted on a turned wooden base alongside a vertical brass battery or mechanism pillar and an electromagnetic pendulum coil swinging along an arched bar.

Front view of the Bulle electric clock under its glass dome on a wooden base
Front view of the Bulle electric clock under its glass dome on a wooden base — Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Clock · Electrically-driven pendulum clock
Maker / attribution
British Horo-Electric Ltd.
Reference
1922-675
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1915-1925
Country
France
Source-reported serial
6160

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

Identity and Distribution

In the Science Museum Group Collection, this timepiece is catalogued under object number 1922-675 as a Type A 'Bulle' electrically-driven pendulum clock, no. 6160. Museum records indicate that the clock was made between 1915 and 1925 in France and sold by British Horo-Electric Ltd. of 109 Kingsway, London, WC, England.

Physical inspection notes record a small brass retailer plaque affixed to the rim of the base inscribed 'THE BRITISH HORO-ELECTRIC LTD. 109, KINGSWAY, LONDON, W.C.'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Type A 'Bulle' electric clock, no.6160, with glass shade, made in France but sold by British Horo-Electric Ltd., 109 Kingsway, London, WC, England, 1915-1925.”
  • “Small brass retailer plaque affixed to the rim of the base reading 'THE BRITISH HORO-ELECTRIC LTD. 109, KINGSWAY, LONDON, W.C.'.”

Physical Structure and Materials

Museum technical data record the clock's overall measurements as 390 mm by 200 mm, with materials listed as glass, wood (unidentified), brass (copper, zinc alloy), and steel (metal).

Direct visual observation confirms the assembly rests on a turned circular wooden base supported on small rounded feet, with a tall clear glass shade enclosing the entire clock assembly.

Evidence for this section
  • “Materials: glass , wood (unidentified) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel (metal)”
  • “Measurements: overall: 390 mm 200 mm,”
  • “Turned circular wooden base supported on small rounded feet.”
  • “Tall clear glass shade enclosing the entire clock assembly.”

Dial and Pendulum Arrangement

The timepiece features an open-center circular dial with Arabic numerals and Breguet-style hands, with a printed 'Bulle' signature positioned below the 12 o'clock numeral.

As an electrically-driven pendulum clock, its regulating and drive arrangement includes a curved magnetic bar passing through an electromagnetic pendulum coil bob.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-center circular dial with Arabic numerals and Breguet-style hands.”
  • “Bulle signature printed below the 12 o'clock numeral.”
  • “Curved magnetic bar passing through an electromagnetic pendulum coil bob.”
  • “type: electrically-driven pendulum clock”

Open research questions

  • What specific species of timber was used to construct the circular base?
  • Where is the serial number 6160 physically stamped or inscribed on the clock mechanism or frame?
  • Does the vertical brass column retain internal battery components or original electrical wiring?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Type A 'Bulle' electric clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Serial Number6160“Type A 'Bulle' electric clock, no.6160”
Object Number1922-675“Object Number: 1922-675”
Date1915-1925“Made: 1915-1925”
Typeelectrically-driven pendulum clock“type: electrically-driven pendulum clock”
Retailer/DistributorBritish Horo-Electric Ltd.“sold by British Horo-Electric Ltd., 109 Kingsway, London, WC, England”
Materialsglass, wood, brass, steel“Materials: glass , wood (unidentified) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel (metal)”
Museum Overall Measurements390 mm x 200 mm“Measurements: overall: 390 mm 200 mm,”
Museum CategoryTime Measurement“Category: Time Measurement”
CreditBritish Horo-Electric Ltd.“credit: British Horo-Electric Ltd.”

Visible details

  • Open-center circular dial with Arabic numerals and Breguet-style hands.
  • Bulle signature printed below the 12 o'clock numeral.
  • Curved magnetic bar passing through an electromagnetic pendulum coil bob.
  • Turned circular wooden base supported on small rounded feet.
  • Small brass retailer plaque affixed to the rim of the base reading 'THE BRITISH HORO-ELECTRIC LTD. 109, KINGSWAY, LONDON, W.C.'.
  • Tall clear glass shade enclosing the entire clock assembly.

Research qualifications

  • Museum records list the wood of the base as unidentified.
  • Internal wiring, coil windings, and battery contents within the vertical brass column cannot be verified solely from the external photograph.

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

Consulted source

Type A 'Bulle' electric clock | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d3d9caedf5

Terms in this record

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