The first authentic carriage clock was made in Paris at the start of the 19th Century, by Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823).
Carriage clocks are also known in France as “Officer’s Clocks.” The name is based on an historical anecdote. It is said that Napoleon, having almost lost a battle because one of his officers was late, ordered his military chiefs to carry a small clock with them at all times. Orders placed with master clockmakers always included the reference “a clock for an officer” and this brought the name into common parlance.
Original Carriage Clocks, such as this one, include a jeweled platform escapement visible through the beveled glass on top. The escapement was placed this way so that the clock would continue to keep time while it was bounced around in a carriage with wooden wheels in the 19th Century. This model also includes an hour and half-hour strike on a beautiful-sounding brass bell. Both the time and strike trains are powered off of one large mainspring.
These carriage clocks are gold plated with the traditional, shock-resistant, platform-mounted jeweled escapement. Each carriage clock comes with an upholstered presentation box and gold key. These clocks are collector’s items and heirloom pieces for generations to come. Each one is a fine work of art.
Enamel dial
Five pieces of beveled glass
11-jewel platform escapement, hour and half-hour strike on bell
Presentation box
2-year warranty
Runs eight days on one wind
By Sternreiter
Please email us for more information at clocks@northcoastimports.com Please be sure to include your postal code for a dealer in your area.
