Clocks · Carriage clock
Grande sonnerie carriage clock with alarm by J. F. Bautte et Cie
- Maker / attribution
- J. F. Bautte et Cie (maker)
- Date
- c. 1860
- Historical period
- Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
- Country of origin
- France
- Object type
- Carriage clock
- Dimensions
- Height 15 cm
- Stock no.
- Product 3289
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, The Antique Clock Company (product 3289)
- Catalogue title (original)
- GRANDE SONNERIE CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH ALARM – J. F. Bautte Et Cie (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by The Antique Clock Company (dealer), Dorset (stock number Product 3289), this is a carriage clock by J. F. Bautte et Cie, made in France, dated c. 1860. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Clocks collection. Recorded dimensions: Height 15 cm. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — The Antique Clock Company
This exceptional French carriage clock is a true masterpiece of horological craftsmanship, featuring a brass Grande Sonnerie striking and repeating movement with an alarm function. Manufactured by the esteemed J. F. Bautte Et Cie, in collaboration with Rossel Et Fils Sucrs of Geneva, the clock boasts a white enamel dial adorned with Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the twelve o’clock position. The clock also includes three additional subsidiary dials for the day, date, and alarm, offering a sophisticated array of features. The twin-train movement strikes a bell and operates with a platform lever escapement, ensuring precision timekeeping with a compensated balance. The clock also includes a three-position strike selection lever in the base, allowing the user to choose the desired strike mode. The backplate is signed, further enhancing the clock’s provenance. The beautifully crafted gilt brass gorge case is complemented by a swing handle, making it both a functional and visually striking timepiece. Additionally, this remarkable carriage clock comes complete with its original travel case, making it as practical for travel as it is exquisite for display. A rare and highly collectable timepiece, this Grande Sonnerie carriage clock is a perfect addition for discerning collectors of fine horology. Height: 6″ or 15 cm
Provenance
Private collection, UK
Historical context
Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.
Factory production transformed the clock into an everyday object. American makers (Seth Thomas, Ansonia, Waterbury) and German factories (Junghans, Gustav Becker, Lenzkirch) sold millions of shelf, wall and alarm clocks worldwide; France produced standardised Paris movements and carriage clocks; electric time distribution began.
Read the period in the timelineMore clocks from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology
Atlas type guide
Carriage and travel clocks
The carriage clock is a portable spring clock with a balance-wheel escapement and a brass case with glass panels and a carrying handle. Abraham-Louis Breguet made early examples around 1800, and from the 1830s Paul Garnier and other French makers industrialised production, with the small towns of Saint-Nicolas-d'Aliermont and the Franche-Comté supplying movements for retailers worldwide.
Typical features include a platform escapement mounted horizontally on top of the movement (usually a lever, sometimes cylinder or Garnier's chaff-cutter), striking or repeating work, and alarms. English carriage clocks, generally larger and with fusees, were made by firms such as Frodsham and Dent. Travel clocks in folding leather cases became popular in the twentieth century.
What to look for
- A platform escapement visible through the top glass.
- Case styles: corniche, gorge, anglaise, obis or engraved cases.
- Repeat buttons on top and strike/silent levers.
- Stamps of movement makers (e.g. Drocourt, Jacot, Margaine, Richard & Co.) on the backplate.
Dating clues
- Early carriage clocks with Breguet or Garnier features: c. 1800–1850.
- Mass-produced French carriage clocks: c. 1850–1914.
- Folding travel clocks and alarm travel clocks: mostly 1920–1970.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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