TRAVELLING CLOCK Signed: ROBERT Circa 1810 Switzerland

M&R104

TRAVELLING CLOCK
Signed: ROBERT
Circa 1810
Switzerland

Movement
The spring-driven, eight day movement consists of going, striking and alarm trains. The going train has a chain fusee and chronometer escapement with balance and regulation on a horizontal platform. On every quarter-hour the grande sonnerie striking train indicates the hours first, followed by the quarter-hours on two gongs. The clock also has trip repeat. The alarm is activated by pulling a chord, which winds a spring. The alarm train is set by a sweep central pointer on the chapter ring. The gongs are situated at the back, as well as the winding arbors and regulation.

Dial
The white enamel dial dominates the, the 4 winding holes emphasize the functions of the clock. The time is indicated by a pair of blued-steel Breguet hands on a black Arabic chapter ring with five-minute and minute divisions. There is also a blued-steel alarm hand and a counterbalanced central sweep seconds hand. The dial is signed by the maker above the 6: Robert. The dial is protected by a convex glass set in an engine-turned bezel.

Case
The austere rectangular mahogany-veneered case has a slide at the back to access the movement. The clock is surmounted a gilt-brass carrying handle in the shape of two snakes with intertwined tails. Beneath the dial is a winding hole for the going train. There is a circular window set in an engine-turned surround, through which the escapement is visible. The clock stands on four gilt-brass claw feet.

Duration 1 week
Height 22 cm.
Width 15.5 cm.
Depth 11 cm.

Literature
G.H. Baillie, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, p. 271.

Robert
J. Robert has his workshop in Genève, Switzerland. In 1787 he met Louis Courvoisier and started a cooperation with him. In 1805 the name changed to Robert, Courvoisier et Cie, in 1811 to Courvoisier et Cie.