Ecole de Cluses Motor Rewound Pendulum Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1925
This one-second pendulum clock was produced at the Ecole Nationale d'Horlogerie in Cluses, Haute-Savoie, France, estimated to date to circa 1925. The piece is classified as an apprentice work, as the school did not manufacture clocks for commercial sale.
It features a mahogany case with a curved front glass panel. The silvered dial includes applied Arabic numerals and a skeletonized center, paired with blued hands. The movement is constructed with a solid trapezoid brass frame and incorporates an electrical winding system featuring a magnet coil. The mechanical timekeeping is regulated by a steel pendulum with a cylindrical bob. The winding mechanism utilizes an electric motor of the type described as O'Keenan.
The development of these electrical clocks at the school occurred under the influence of director Charles Poncet, who integrated electrical technology into the curriculum between 1905 and 1934.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- 1-second pendulum clock
- Dimensions
- 1350 x 320 x 250 mm
- Case Material
- Mahogany
- Dial Features
- Silvered with Arabic numerals
- School Origin
- Ecole Nationale d'Horlogerie Cluses
- Classification
- Apprentice piece
- Place recorded
- France
- Winding System
- Electric motor
- Condition Report
- Very good
- Maker / attribution
- Ecole Nationale d'Horlogerie Cluses
Design
- Visible features
- • Mahogany case with curved glass door • Silvered dial with skeletonized center • Solid trapezoid brass movement plates • Cylindrical steel pendulum bob
- Case and Dial Construction
- The clock is housed in a mahogany case featuring a prominent curved front glass. The aesthetic design incorporates a silvered dial mounted within the upper section of the case, behind the glazed aperture. This dial is configured with applied Arabic numerals and a skeletonized central area that allows visibility of the underlying movement components. The time is indicated by blued steel hands. The case dimensions are 1350 mm in height, 320 mm in width, and 250 mm in depth.
- Movement and Electrical System
- The internal mechanism is built upon a solid trapezoid brass frame. The clock operates as a mechanical 1-second pendulum system which is energized through an electric winding apparatus. This motor is identified as being of the "OK" type, sharing features found in O’Keenan clocks. The regulation of the clock is managed by a steel pendulum rod terminating in a cylindrical bob. The integration of electrical systems into the clockwork was a core component of the curriculum established by Charles Poncet. The movement includes a magnet coil to facilitate the electric winding function, reflecting the school's instructional emphasis on electro-mechanical horology.
- Provenance and Historical Context
- This clock originates from the Ecole Nationale d'Horlogerie in Cluses, France. It is categorized as an apprentice piece, consistent with the school's policy of not producing clocks for commercial trade. Known examples of these motor-rewound clocks were produced by students or faculty during the period between 1924 and 1944. The auction description reports that the movement is in very good condition and remains capable of running, although professional cleaning is suggested to maintain performance. The dial shows slight oxidation, consistent with its age.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Exact date of manufacture within the 1924-1944 period is unverified
- Research required: Specific identity of the student or staff member who made the piece is unrecorded