Carriage – It's About Time

Henri Jacot Repeat Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:44:03 +0000

A very good example of a classic Henri Jacot carriage clock with push repeat. To the underside of the baseplate is stamped the serial number 8861, dating it to around 1890. The dial is in perfect condition with no cracks or blemishes, and the case has a beautiful glowing finish, having only just been re-gilded after coming into our shop. The glass is in excellent condition, with the exception of one tiny chip to the rear door glass next to the handle. The Jacot movement has been fully serviced and runs brilliantly, striking on a gong the hours and half hours, with the push repeat button to chime the most recent hour. A fine clock.

Rare Leroy ‘Hump Back’ Quarter Striking Clock

Paul Williams — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 09:57:37 +0000

An extremely fine and rare Carriage clock in the ‘Hump Back’ style with leather case made by Louis Leroy et Cie. The gilded case is in great condition showing only minor rubbing. Particularly attractive with a good size border and sight to the front bevelled glass, stylish carrying handle, and standing on large bun feet. The movement is of excellent quality, with alarm function and quarter striking & strike – silent option, striking the hours and quarters on a coiled gong. With an engine turned dial plate and silvered chapter ring showing Arabic numerals and matching dial for the alarm, as well as delicate blued steel hands. The centre dial bears the maker’s name and address. Charles Louis Leroy had a shop at 7 Boulevard De La Madelaine, Paris where this clock was sold circa 1890-1900.His father Basile Charles Leroy -1765-1839 established the company which survived the French Revolution and went on to become the clockmaker to Napolean I.

Please remember we are closed Sundays and Mondays, open every other day from 9am until 5pm

Charles Frodsham, Strike-Silent Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:09:21 +0000

No 20055 is a fine gilt ‘Gorge’ Carriage clock with push repeat, strike-silent and alarm function, it was finished and retailed by the famous Charles Frodsham of London and Paris and given the number 20055. . Charles Frodsham is London’s (and the worlds) oldest remaining clock, watch and chronometer makers. Charles was born in April 1810. He set up, as a young man, his own business in 1834. He very quickly became an important Chronometer maker and then purchased in 1844 the prestigious ’84 The Strand’ after John Roger Arnold suddenly passed away. You can read more about the history of the Frodsham’s directly on their website, should you be interested. The number 20055 dates the clock using the Frodsham numbering system to around 1890-1900. The gilding on this clock has been carefully preserved and looks truly stunning. An important feature of this clock is the strike – silent selection lever to the base, this is rarely seen and adds another layer of interest to this particular clock. The dial and hands are simply superb. The dial has the all important name and number. The clock was made for Charles Frodsham by Drocourt and bears their stamp and number 28066 on the backplate too. To the base of the backplate it is engraved with Charles Frodsham and the number (see last photo) We have numerous pictures of the restoration which we can’t upload to our website but are available on request.
The clock strikes on a soft gong and has hourly and half hourly strike. Circa 1890 to 1900.
A great investment piece.
Please remember we are closed Sundays and Mondays, open every other day from 9am until 5pm

Charles Frodsham – Pendule D’Officier

Paul Williams — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:01:37 +0000

An extremely rare carriage clock or ‘Pendule d’officier’ with one of the finest cases we have ever seen. These were made from the early 1800s through to 1910’s and this one dates to around 1914. Running for a week on a full wind, and having the symbol of eternity, the snake consuming itself for the handle. The dial on the clock is excellent, hand painted with swags of flowers between the numerals and small gilt flowers joinng them. Wonderful gilt highly detailed hands, signed by Charles Frodsham of 27 South Molten Street, London. Charles Frodsham was established in 1848 ( after a partnership with John Arnold ) Born on the 15 April 1810 – 11 January 1871 he was a distinguished English clock, watch and chronometer maker establishing the firm of Charles Frodsham & Co, which remains in existence as the longest continuously trading firm of chronometer manufacturers in the world ! The case is constructed of French Oak then covered in a red Tortoiseshell style resin veneer, inlaid with brass stringing and edging and having ormulu mounts. Sold with our 24 month guarantee.

Pendule d’Officier With Silvered Dial

Paul Williams — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 18:12:08 +0000

A very attractive Parisian mantel clock or Pendule d’Officier of good size and colour. This style of clock was invented in the late 18th century, designed by Breguet for Napoleon to be carried by his officers (pendule d’officier – officer’s clock) to ensure they kept good time whilst also being robust enough for frequent transport! The case is a bright ormolu, sitting on detailed bun feed with very nice floral cast brass features decorating the top, front, and sides, as well as the classic ouroboros handle, the snake consuming itself, symbolising the eternity of time. The clock has a beautifully engine turned silvered dial, with detail to the outer and inner sections and a smooth chapter ring with Arabic numerals. The hands are particularly ornate, and sit nicely against the dial, with a convex glass front and frosted glass to the rear. The 8-day movement strikes on a gong every hour and half hour. Circa 1890.

Porcelain Panelled Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:54:58 +0000

An extremely fine and rare mid 19th century French ‘repeating’ carriage clock with an enamelled top, side panels and matching dial. The porcelain is from the Sevres (Billancourt) area of Paris and decorated beautifully with jewelled borders and painted with flowers, flying songbirds, and classical romantic garden scenes. The classic Cobalt blue borders work extremely well against the contrasting gilt case. Jewels on the front and sides being fully intact and the paintwork unmarked. Bell striking 8-day movement with original lever escapement and push repeat feature. These enamel style carriage clocks are quite rare and highly sought after, this example being a rather nice entry point into the market . This clock is shown fully restored, Sold with a 24 month RTB guarantee.

Extraordinarily Rare Cased Giant Drocourt For Martin & Co.

Paul Williams — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 15:55:39 +0000

An exceptionally large or ‘Giant’ carriage clock by the well known retailer Martin & Co and made for them by Drocourt. Extraordinarily this clock also retains the original outer leather case and Key which are both numbered to match. The back plate is stamped with the Drocourt oval and numbered 8902. Alfred and Pierre Drocourt were exquisite clockmakers, they had a factory in Saint-Nicolas-d’Aliermont, which was regarded as the most important town for carriage clock manufacturing. The majority of their clocks would go to their Paris premises and dispersed amongst the world’s top retailers of that time. They exhibited at the major exhibitions winning a bronze medal at Paris 1867, the Silver at Paris 1878 and the gold at Paris in 1889. The son, Alfred, succeeded his father Pierre sometime in the 1870’s. This clock has a mellow gong strike and push repeat (the little button at the top). The clock is running for a week on a wind . Also this clock is shown unrestored. The mercurial gilt finish has been very well preserved due to spending many years inside the original outer leather covered travel case. We recommend viewing this clock in our shop if possible. 24 month U.K. guarantee.

Finnigans ‘Madelaine’ Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 10:47:57 +0000

A fine and quite rare carriage clock retailed by Finnigans circa 1890-1910. In all the 43 years of restoring antique carriage clocks we have only seen one of these. This design is one of the rarest and in our opinion a true classic. The arched dial is silvered and has the classic ‘engine turned’ decoration. The hands are the traditional moon pattern and blued. The movement is gong striking and key wound from the rear. The case is constructed of solid cast and gilded brass. It’s also quite large which adds to the appeal with this shape. Finnigans established in the 1830’s by Brian Finnigan, an Irishman descended from Brian Boru, the king of Ireland in the high Middle Ages. He was the son of a seafarer, who spent summer months sailing off the coast of Newfoundland. In 1851, Finnigans gained international recognition when the house won a gold medal for craftsmanship at Prince Albert’s Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace.In 1879, William Finnigan opened a Finnigans shop at 18 New Bond Street in London. Soon, American millionaires such as the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts and the Fords joined the house’s customer base. Finnigans also sold clocks, watches, and silverware.
Please remember we are closed Sundays and Mondays, open every other day from 9am until 5pm

Fine Le Roy & Fils Carriage Clock with Case.

Paul Williams — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 10:20:19 +0000

No11365 is a superb gilt Carriage clock with push repeat and alarm function, it was finished and retailed by the famous Le Roy & Fils, 211 Regent Street, London and of The Palais Royal, Paris. The clock was made by Drocourt and also bears their stamp and number (in small) on the backplate. The gilding on this clock has been carefully preserved (see macro images) and has that wonderful 'orange peel' finish you get with mercurial gilding. The outer protective leather covered case is in remarkable condition with glass panel and slide, we can assume the fact that this clock has been protected in the outer case for the last 140 years has preserved this rare finish seldom seen these days. The clock strikes on a soft gong and has hourly and half hourly strike. Circa 1890. A great investment piece...in our opinion! Please remember we are closed Sundays and Mondays, open every other day from 9am until 5pm

Fine Petite Sonnerie Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 10:44:58 +0000

Here we have a fine, quarter chiming or ‘petite sonnerie’ carriage clock by ‘Drocourt’ for J.W.Benson.
The fine gilded gorge case is of slightly smaller than average size. The dial is near perfect and free of any chips but with a very faint hairline to the top right corner (very small and faint). The movement strikes the hours and quarters with the addition of push repeat. The clock has the Drocourt stamp on the back plate and the Drocourt Oval on the reverse of the dial. Alfred and Pierre Drocourt were both superb clockmakers, they had a factory in Saint-Nicolas-d’Ailermont, which was regarded as the most important town for carriage clock manufacturing. The majority of their clocks would go to their Paris premises and dispersed amongst the world’s top retailers of that time. They exhibited at the major exhibitions winning a bronze medal at Paris 1867, the Silver at Paris 1878 and the gold at Paris in 1889. The son, Alfred, succeeded his father Pierre sometime in the 1870’s. The clock is numbered 16949 which puts the date to circa 1875-80. To find a ‘petite sonnerie’ by J.W.Benson and Drocourt in this condition is quite rare. A truly wonderful clock with a very nice tone to the gongs.