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Alarm — Double-Bell Alarm Clock.png
Double-Bell Alarm Clock.png — Anonymous illustrator · Public domain · source

Complication

Alarm

Also known as: Réveil · Wecker

How it works

A cam or wheel set to the chosen hour releases a separate spring-driven hammer, which strikes a bell or, in watches, a gong or the case back.

Why it was invented

To wake the sleeper or mark an appointed time.

Invented
Medieval monastic alarms; adjustable mechanical alarm clock patented 1847
Credited to
Antoine Redier (1847 adjustable alarm clock patent)
Historical period
Medieval Period
Experiment in the Simulation Lab →

History and development

Monastic alarm clocks woke the sacristan for night prayers in the Middle Ages. Antoine Redier of Paris patented an adjustable mechanical alarm clock in 1847. In wristwatches, the Vulcain Cricket (1947) and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox (1950) popularised the mechanical alarm.

Related mechanisms

Minute repeater movement.jpg

Complication

Minute repeater

In the catalogue

All 92 records →
Alarm clock, Germany, 1400–1499

Clocks · 1400–1499

Alarm clock, Germany, 1400–1499

German Clock Museum

An astronomical clock in a gilt-bronze case, Venetian, sixteenth century.

Clocks · 1500-1600

An astronomical clock in a gilt-bronze case, Venetian, sixteenth century.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Drum clock and case, made in France or Germany, about 1540. Gilded brass, engraved with the Crucifixion

Clocks · ca.1540

Drum clock and case, made in France or Germany, about 1540. Gilded brass, engraved with the Crucifixion

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Clock, a striking alarm clock in a gilt brass case, Germany, ca.1550.

Clocks · ca.1550

Clock, a striking alarm clock in a gilt brass case, Germany, ca.1550.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Watch by Hans Grüber, Germany, ca. 1560

Pocket Watches · ca. 1560

Watch by Hans Grüber, Germany, ca. 1560

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Drum clock with alarm engraved with scenes representing the months. Made in France, 1560-80, movement by Félix Loubet

Clocks · 1560-80

Drum clock with alarm engraved with scenes representing the months. Made in France, 1560-80, movement by Félix Loubet

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Square table clock of brass and iron, damascened, engraved and partly gilded, signed by Jacob Marquart of Augsburg and dated 1567.

Clocks · 1567

Square table clock of brass and iron, damascened, engraved and partly gilded, signed by Jacob Marquart of Augsburg and dated 1567.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

A striking alarm clock in a square gilt-brass case surmounted by a silver figure representing Prudence, German, about 1580.

Clocks · 1575-1600

A striking alarm clock in a square gilt-brass case surmounted by a silver figure representing Prudence, German, about 1580.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Alarm Tabernacle clock, gilt brass case with engraved and cast decoration, German, late 16th Century.

Clocks · 1575-1600

Alarm Tabernacle clock, gilt brass case with engraved and cast decoration, German, late 16th Century.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Alarm Table-Clock, German, late 16th century.

Clocks · 1575-1600

Alarm Table-Clock, German, late 16th century.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Alarm table-clock, gilt-bronze, German, late 16th Century.

Clocks · 1575-1600

Alarm table-clock, gilt-bronze, German, late 16th Century.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Lantern clock with clock weights

Clocks · 1579

Lantern clock with clock weights

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Records are linked when the holding institution's description names this mechanism; check each source record for confirmation.