French Alarm Clock in Burr Walnut Case
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1840
This 19th-century French alarm clock, dating to approximately 1840, is constructed with a burr walnut case featuring a brass carrying handle at the top. The base is supported by three integrated feet and finished with an ebonised cavetto moulding, which reportedly houses a bell for the alarm mechanism.
The clock features a white enamel dial, 2 and 3/4 inches in diameter, displaying Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and Breguet-style hands. The number 18755 is printed on the dial above the hand axis. Mechanical operation is driven by a movement equipped with a platform escapement and a steel balance wheel. A small brass sub-dial at the rear of the movement facilitates alarm setting. The auction description reports that the clock has been fully serviced and overhauled, remaining in good working order without damage to the wood, dial, or mechanical components.
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
- Date
- circa 1840
- Type
- Alarm clock
- Maker
- Victor Athanase Pierret
- Country
- France
- Escapement
- Platform escapement
- Case material
- Burr walnut
- Dial diameter
- 2 3/4 inches
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Victor Athanase Pierret
Design
- Visible features
- • Burr walnut case with brass top handle • White enamel dial with Roman numerals • Breguet-style hands • Integrated three-foot base with ebonised moulding
- Attribution and Condition
- The clock is attributed to the French maker Victor Athanase Pierret, a conclusion reached by the seller based on the overall design aesthetics and the configuration of the movement. The auction description reports that the object is in excellent condition, noting that there is no damage to the wooden case, the dial, or the internal mechanism. The clock is provided with a winding key.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The clock is housed in a case of burr walnut with a plain finish. It is surmounted by a brass carrying handle. The base assembly includes a pedestal structure with a recessed ebonised cavetto moulding, resting on three integrated feet. According to the source, the bell for the alarm is contained within this base section. The white enamel dial measures 2 and 3/4 inches in diameter. It is marked with black Roman numerals and a minute track, complemented by Breguet-style hands. A gilt slip frames the dial, and the numeric identifier 18755 is positioned on the dial surface above the center arbor.
- Movement and Mechanical Details
- The movement is accessed via a hinged rear door, which reveals a brass backplate. It incorporates a platform escapement fitted with a steel balance wheel and an S/F regulation lever. The rear of the movement contains a small brass sub-dial used for alarm adjustment, alongside winding squares for the time and alarm functions. The alarm is set by winding the thin arbor on the lower left and aligning the indicator to the desired time. The auction house reports that the clock has undergone a full service and overhaul, confirming it is in working condition.
Identification
- Reference
- 18755
- Serial number
- 18755
- 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: Attribution to Victor Athanase Pierret is based on style and movement type rather than a signature
- Research required: Alarm mechanism operation relies on the specific sequence described by the seller