A fine late 19th century French carriage alarm clock in a gilt brass case made for the Chinese market, the gilt brass Corniche case with all over engraved decoration and a deep plinth base and with bevelled glass plates, with a swing handle over a bevelled oval viewing glass to the English lever escapement, and with a white enamel 2.25” dial with outer minute markers and with a subsidiary alarm dial below, and with Breguet hands and a central second hand, to an eight day two train movement striking the hours and half hours on a bell with a repeater function, the backplate mounted with the striking mechanism and with the winding arbours, marked lower right with Chinese characters, and with winding instructions etc in English. Supplied with a key.
Condition: Excellent; the case is in remarkably good condition with absolutely no losses to the gilding which retains a wonderful rich colour, the glass panels are all perfect and the dial is also in perfect condition. The movement has been fully serviced and overhauled and is in good working order. The bell has a pleasant, clear sound.
What sets this clock apart is twofold: The central seconds hand and the fact that the striking mechanism, usually sandwiched between the front plate and the back of the dial, is mounted onto the backplate: both these are features of carriage clocks made specifically for the Chinese market.
Dimensions:
Height = 20 cm (8”)
Width = 9.5 cm (3.35”)
Depth = 8 cm (3.25”)