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Discover Mid-America — July 2004

Carriage Clocks

Around the 1800s, carriage clocks were devised by Abraham Louis Breguet, most likely to help Napoleon’s officers keep accurate time on their military travels. The clocks were called “pendule de voyage” or travel clocks. They were known as Carriage Clocks to the English.

Originally, the clocks had complicated mechanics to help them withstand the bumps and jolts of stagecoach travel. Paul Gainier later developed a simpler escapement mechanism, which made it possible to produce a clock that was less expensive. Soon, France became the center of the carriage clock industry and exported thousands of clocks throughout the world.

Most of these clocks had movements made by H. Jacot A. Droucourt or Japy Freies. Some were complex and others simply kept time. The plain strike had a gong to mark the hour. The “petite sonnerie” had a gong on the hour, with two different tones to mark the quarter hours. The “grande sonnerie” sounded the previous hour each time it sounded the quarter hours. Some more complicated models had minute repeaters, thermometers and barometers.

Cases were made and finished in Paris. They were very elaborate, embellished with Limong or cloisonné panels. Some had Poctrou of women and others were engraved or inscribed.

Thomas Mercer Ltd. of St. Albons & James McCabe of London, plus a few other firms in England, also made calendar clocks. Prices are highest for early clocks with complex movements and in fine cases in good condition. Signed clocks by known makers also escalate the price.

When purchasing carriage clocks, you should seek the advice of dealers who specialize not only in the sale of such clocks but are also experts in their repair and restoration. Such experts will be able to judge the authenticity of the item. Note also that there are excellent reproductions being made in Europe, including repeaters and miniatures. There are also old carriage clocks with reproduction porcelain panels that are very well done and could fool the average collector.