A FINE AND RARE PAIR OF SWISS ENAMEL, SEED-PEARL, SILVERED AND GILT-BRASS MINIATURE STRIKING AND REPEATING CARRIAGE CLOCKS AND CASES

Engraved all over, each with an arched folding handle above the silvered top, above bevelled glazed front, sides and rear door, the white enamel dial with seed-pearl-set bezel, sweep centre seconds and blue Roman chapters, within an enamelled surround, decorated with two cherubs, the silvered movement with push repeat on a blued steel gong, original platform lever escapement, the going train wound from the back, the striking train from the underside of the base, engraved SONNERIE and with directional arrow, and numbered 661 & 662 respectively, with original double-ended male and female keys and velvet-lined carrying cases

7cm high

A pair of consecutively numbered carriage clocks is extraorinarily rare and these two carriage clocks are perfect 'jewels' in the clockmaker's canon.  As expected of Swiss work, they are of the highest quality, incorporating the crafts of the enameller and watchmaker, especially with the inclusion of the striking spring in the base.  They also have their original keys and carrying cases.

A single plain carriage clock of this type was sold Bonhams, London 28 June 2011, lot 5 (£2,160).

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Charles Terwilliger, A Century of Fine Carriage Clocks, Bronxville, 1987, p. 200-201, which shows a closely-related carriage clock.  

*** Please note Import VAT at 5% is additionally payable on the hammer price.  Buyers from outside the UK are able to claim a refund of this on proof of export.

CONDITION REPORT

As noted, each has its double-ended key and carrying case.  

Both are in good condition, although they will require a service.  Each clock ticks and runs.  The strike works on both.  The repeat on 661 works; however on 662 it sticks and only repeats one strike.

The glasses are in good condition, except on 661 which has a very slight chip to the upper right-hand corner on the right panel.