Carriage clock Bolviller A Paris 384 Ca. 1850 France

M&R119a

Carriage clock
Signed and numbered: Bolviller A Paris 384
Circa 1850
France

Movement
The spring-driven, eight-day movement of this exceptionally beautiful clock is constructed between rectangular plates. It consists of going and striking trains, as well as alarm. The going train has English lever escapement with hairspring balance and regulation on an engraved gilt-brass platform. It can be adjusted by a regulator arm which can be seen through the window in the top and is accessible through the back door. The striking indicates the hours fully and the half hours with a single stroke on a bell. In addition, there is a repeat button on the front, with which the hour last struck can be repeated. The backplate is signed and numbered BOLVILLER A PARIS 384. The clock is wound from the back.

Dial
The rectangular enamel dial has a Roman chapter ring with five-minute and minute divisions. The time is indicated by a fine blued-steel pair of Breguet hands. In addition the clock has a delicate blued-steel central sweep seconds hand. Below the chapter ring is a subsidiary Arabic alarm ring. The maker has signed the dial in the minute ring: BOLVILLER PARIS.

Case
The impressive engraved gilt-brass case has glass panels on all sides, so that the movement is almost entirely visible. The beautiful platform escapement can be seen through the top window. The clock is surmounted by a shaped carrying handle as well as four ball finials. The repeat button is also situated on the top. The back door gives access to the winding arbors, the regulation and the setting arbor.

Duration 1 week

Height 20 cm
Width 11 cm
Depth 9.5 cm

Literature
Tardy, Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français, Paris, 1971, p. 65.
Derek Roberts, Carriage and other Travelling Clocks, blz. 73, Fig. 4-7
Brian Loomes, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, blz. 83.

The maker
Bolviller was a clockmaker in Paris from 1830 until 1870.