Antique French and English carriage clocks

Carriage clocks are one of the steps in the development of portable horology, the ability of a person to keep track of time when travelling.

In order to fulfil this function, the clock must keep accurate time, be portable and cased for protection, and allow easy access to the dial for the reading of the time.

Travelling clocks, known in French as "pendule de voyage", have been in use since the 15th century, and remained little changed until the early 19th century. French clock maker Abraham-Louis Breguet developed the first modern travelling clock, known as a "carriage clock" or "officer's clock" in 1796, which he sold to Napoleon several years later. His clock was highly complex. As well as showing the time it also showed the date and temperature.

The carriage clock is rectangular in shape with a carrying handle, and usually has a plain or gilt-brass more... case set with glass or more rarely enamel or porcelain panels. A feature of carriage clocks is the platform escapement, sometimes visible through a glazed aperture on the top of the case. Carriage clocks use a balance and balance spring for timekeeping and replaced the larger pendulum bracket clock. They were originally supplied with a padded leather carrying case, but many clocks have become separated from their leather case over the years.

From the 1820s, carriage clocks became more prevalent in both France and Britain, although most of the carriage clock manufacturing industry was based in France. Clock makers such as Paul Garnier and Alfred Drocourt in France designed distinctive models that were both aesthetically pleasing but also had advanced methods of time-keeping. Other renowned French makers from this period are Henry Marc, Henri Jacot and Leroy & Fils.

British clock makers, such as James McCabe, began producing carriage clocks in order to reduce the need for French imports to satisfy the market.

The golden age of classic carriage clocks was between 1860 and 1900. The industry was centred around Belfort in France, and production was then mainly exported to England. The factory of Armand Couaillet, in Saint-Nicolas d'Aliermont (France) made thousands of carriage clocks between 1880 and 1920. A French carriage clock became a standard wedding present from the 1880s to the 1920s.

The production of carriage clocks declined from the 1930s as the wristwatch, a much cheaper, personal and more easily transported method of timekeeping, was becoming popular

Prices for carriage clocks increase depending on the quality of the case, the maker and the degree of complexity of the movement. Additional features such as striking trains, calendar indicators, engraved gorge cases, porcelain or enamel panels, grande sonneries or subsidiary dials will add to the value. If the clock has retained its original travelling case, this can also make the piece more expensive.

As a general rule, English carriage clocks sell for higher prices than French pieces, due to the fact that they were produced in smaller numbers and were significantly larger than French carriage clocks. less...