FRENCH CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH PETITE SONNERIE Signed: Dent Paris Circa 1860 France

M&R112

FRENCH CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH PETITE SONNERIE
Signed: Dent Paris
Circa 1860
France

Movement
The spring-driven, eight-day movement of this high-quality clock is constructed between plates. It consists of going and striking trains, as well as alarm. The going train has English lever escapement with hairspring balance and regulation. 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 rack striking indicates the hours fully on a bell, as well as the quarters with a double stroke (petite sonnerie) on two bells. In addition, there is a repeat button on the front, with which the hour and the quarters last struck can be repeated. The backplate is stamped with the retailer’s name: Dent. There is a strike/silent lever in the bottom plate (Silent – Quarters).

Dial
The circular white enamel dials are set in a rectangular engraved gilt-brass mask. The larger one at the top indicates the time and has a Roman chapter ring with five-minute and minute divisions. The time is indicated by a fine pair of blued-steel Breguet hands. Below this dial is a subsidiary Arabic alarm dial with half hour divisions, the alarm time being indicated by a small blued steel hand. The dial is signed DENT PARIS.

Case
The engraved Gorge-style gilt-brass case of this impressive carriage clock has a bevelled glass window on the front. The silvered platform escapement can also be seen through a bevelled oval window in the top. The case is surmounted by an engraved shaped carrying handle. At the back is a door with holes with shutters for the winding arbors and to set the hands. At the bottom is a lever with which the striking can be switched off: Silent or Quarters.

Duration: 1 week

Height 11 cm, including handle 14 cm.
Width 7.5 cm.
Depth 6.5 cm.

Note
This French carriage clock is signed Dent Paris, the name of the retailer. The clock was actually made by one of the top makers in Paris for Dent and intended for the English market.

Literature:
Brian Loomes, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the world, London, 2006, p. 211.