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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Neuchâtel pendulum clock · Neuchâtel

Neuchâtel clock in Directoire style, late 18th century

Verified

Surmounted by a small vase surrounded by a bronze balustrade, the case is of cartel form, veneered with walnut burl, enhanced with geometric marquetry and decorated with chased and gilt bronze mounts.

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH IV-24
Object type
Neuchâtel pendulum clock
Place of production
Neuchâtel
Dating
1770 - 1790
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
Bois, Bronze, Émail, Laiton, Verre, Soie
Dimensions (catalogue)
dimensions: 72 x 31 x 12 cm

Historical significance

  • Surmounted by a small vase surrounded by a bronze balustrade, the case is of cartel form, veneered with walnut burl, enhanced with geometric marquetry and decorated with chased and gilt bronze mounts.
  • The white enamel dial is painted with black Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the five-minute intervals. Hour and minute hands in gilt brass, finely pierced and chased. The bezel, in turned, knurled and gilt bronze, holds a domed glass fitted into a rebate. Separate rectangular glazed aperture.
  • The movement features a rack striking mechanism for the hours and half-hours, a delayed pull-repeat mechanism and a verge escapement with thread suspension; eight-day power reserve. The rack striking mechanism operates on two bells mounted above the plates.

Photographs

Neuchâtel clock in Directoire style, late 18th century (MIH IV-24)
Neuchâtel clock in Directoire style, late 18th century (MIH IV-24) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Neuchâtel clock in Directoire style, late 18th century (MIH IV-24)
Neuchâtel clock in Directoire style, late 18th century (MIH IV-24) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Neuchâtel clock in Directoire style, late 18th century (MIH IV-24)
Neuchâtel clock in Directoire style, late 18th century (MIH IV-24) — 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-24: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/35241/

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