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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wall clock · La Chaux-de-Fonds

The solid walnut case is decorated with rounded mouldings and glazed on three sides

Verified

The silvered metal regulator dial indicates the minutes on the outer chapter ring, while the hours and seconds are engraved on two small dials placed above and below the centre.

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH IV-492
Object type
Wall clock
Place of production
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Dating
1846
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
Bois, Métal, Laiton
Dimensions (catalogue)
dimensions min/max: 1401 x 1600 mm; Dimensions: 143.0 x 50.0 x 25.0 cm
Inscriptions (catalogue)
Par les économies du Bureau de contrôle Chaux-de-Fonds 6 mars 1846. Chs-Fc. Klentschi et fils fecit. (mouvement)

Historical significance

  • The silvered metal regulator dial indicates the minutes on the outer chapter ring, while the hours and seconds are engraved on two small dials placed above and below the centre.
  • The trapezoidal weight-driven movement has a Graham dead-beat escapement with ruby pallet-stones. The gridiron compensation-pendulum, formed of steel and brass rods, has a thermometer.
  • Given to the town of La Chaux-de-Fonds by the Bureau de contrôle, this precision regulator was first installed in the town hall to give the town's watchmakers the exact time. From 1860, it was reset every day by telegraphic signals from the Neuchâtel Observatory

Photographs

The solid walnut case is decorated with rounded mouldings and glazed on three sides (MIH IV-492)
The solid walnut case is decorated with rounded mouldings and glazed on three sides (MIH IV-492) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
The solid walnut case is decorated with rounded mouldings and glazed on three sides (MIH IV-492)
The solid walnut case is decorated with rounded mouldings and glazed on three sides (MIH IV-492) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
The solid walnut case is decorated with rounded mouldings and glazed on three sides (MIH IV-492)
The solid walnut case is decorated with rounded mouldings and glazed on three sides (MIH IV-492) — 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-492: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/39050/

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