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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Mantel/table pendulum clock · La Chaux-de-Fonds

Pendule de voyage

Verified

The brass case has five bevelled glass panels through which the movement and escapement can be seen. An inscription engraved on the top of the case gives the specific characteristics of the escapement: Echappement libre à ressort - levée repos et dégagement en rubis - dix trous en pierre - spiral isochrone - balancier compensé (Detached escapement with spring - ruby locking-stone and ruby locking and unlocking jewels - ten jewelled pivots - isochronous balance-spring - compensation balance). Another inscription, added later, is engraved on the base: Alberto E. Calderon Chaux-de-Fonds Mayo 10 de 1924. The clock has a leather-bound box with double doors.

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH IV-109
Object type
Mantel/table pendulum clock
Place of production
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Dating
c. 1830
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
Laiton, émail, acier, Laiton, Acier, Émail
Dimensions (catalogue)
dimensions min/max: 161 x 180 mm; dimensions: 16.5 x 11.5 x 9.0 cm
Inscriptions (catalogue)
Frédéric Courvoisier Chaux-de-Fonds en Suisse (Mouvement)

Historical significance

  • The brass case has five bevelled glass panels through which the movement and escapement can be seen. An inscription engraved on the top of the case gives the specific characteristics of the escapement: Echappement libre à ressort - levée repos et dégagement en rubis - dix trous en pierre - spiral isochrone - balancier compensé (Detached escapement with spring - ruby locking-stone and ruby locking and unlocking jewels - ten jewelled pivots - isochronous balance-spring - compensation balance). Another inscription, added later, is engraved on the base: Alberto E. Calderon Chaux-de-Fonds Mayo 10 de 1924. The clock has a leather-bound box with double doors.
  • Two blued steel Breguet hands on the white enamel main dial show the hours and minutes. The seconds dial is placed between 12 o'clock and the centre. The two small dials at the base give the date on the right and the alarm time on the left.
  • The movement, with date and alarm, has an hour- and quarter-strike, with the unusual feature of automatically becoming a full strike at night and a quarters only strike during the day. The strike can be blocked by using a lever under the case. The escapement has a pivoted detent, which is positioned by a long straight steel spring. The compensation balance is regulated by a cylindrical blued steel balance-spring.
  • Frédéric-Alexandre Courvoisier, watchmaker, army captain and member of parliament, took an active part in the 1831 revolution in the canton of Neuchâtel. Leading a group of soldiers, he was one of the first to enter Neuchâtel Castle and helped set up a provisional republican government. He worked for Courvoisier & Co, of which he was a partner. This important manufactory, founded in the 18th century by Josué Robert, maintained relations with the best watchmakers of the region, like David-Guillaume Engel, Samuel Roy and Charles-Frédéric Klentschi.

Photographs

Pendule de voyage (MIH IV-109)
Pendule de voyage (MIH IV-109) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Pendule de voyage (MIH IV-109)
Pendule de voyage (MIH IV-109) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Pendule de voyage (MIH IV-109)
Pendule de voyage (MIH IV-109) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Musée international d'horlogerie, online collection record, inv. IV-109: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/39646/

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.