Carriage Clock Buying Guide

 
Few people today would think of packing a carriage clock when they go on a journey, yet this was the purpose for which they were designed. They usually have brass cases with handles and many originally came with a leather travelling case. They're among the least expensive types of antique clocks available.

While a few were made in Britain, nearly all carriage clocks were made in France during the 1800’sand early 1900’s.

Features To Look For
  • White Enamel Dial
  • Black Numerals
  • Stamped Mark Or Signature On The Back Plate
  • Eight-Day Duration
  • Spring-Driven Movement With Going Barrel
  • Bevelled Glass Panels
  • Blued Steel Hands

Signs Of Quality
  • Engraved Case
  • Panelled Cloisonné Or Porcelain Case
  • Subsidiary Dials
  • Repeat Buttons
Some carriage clocks have a repeat button on the top of the case: when the button is pressed the clock repeats the last hour struck.

Engraved Case
  
Carriage Clock 
   
 
 
 
 
Engraved-case carriage clocks are more valuable than plain ones. Look for elaborate, detailed decoration that covers as much of the case as possible.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Makers
Look out for clocks made by:
  • Auguste (French), active from 1840
  • Abraham-Louis Breguet (French), 1747 to 1823
  • Achille and Louis Brocot (French), active 1800´s
  • Dejardin (French), active 1800´s
  • Pierre and Alfred Drocourt (French), 1860 to 1889
  • Frodsham family (English), 1800´s to 1900´s
  • Paul Garnier (French), 1801 to 1869
  • Japy (French), 1772 to early 1900´s
  • FA Margaine (French), c.1870 to 1912
  • E Maurice (French), active 1880´s
  • James McCabe (English), 1800´s
  • Soldano (French), c.1855 to 1880
 
Subsidiary Dials
 
Carriage Clock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Clocks with subsidiary dials are especially desirable. This English carriage clock, has an alarm dial. Some clocks also have dials showing seconds or the days of the week.

This one was made by Le Roy & Fils in about 1865

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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