French swinging regulator clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1870
This swinging regulator, or balancelle, is a double-faced clock manufactured in France circa 1870. The clock is housed in a shaped mahogany case featuring a moulded pediment topped with a bail finial, which conceals the bracket supporting the pendulum mechanism.
The clock is glazed on both faces, with white enamel dials on the front and rear, both marked with Roman numerals and equipped with blued steel Breguet hands for the centre seconds and time indication. The movement is constructed of brass and utilizes a going barrel with a pin-wheel escapement. The mechanism is mounted within the bob of a gridiron, second-beating pendulum suspended by a knife-edge. The clock measures 156 by 54 by 16 centimeters.
The source notes that such regulators were intended for display in shop windows, allowing time to be read from both the street and the shop interior.
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 1870
- Type
- Swinging regulator
- Dimensions
- 156 x 54 x 16 cm
- Case material
- Mahogany
- Dial material
- White enamel
- Place recorded
- France
- Escapement type
- Pin-wheel escapement
- Country of origin
- France
- Pendulum suspension
- Knife-edge
Design
- Visible features
- • Gridiron pendulum structure clearly visible within the mahogany case housing • Clock case displays a tapered, architectural form with a finial at the apex • Front dial features Roman numerals and central seconds tracking • Moulded wooden frame construction with glass panelling
- Historical Context
- The object is identified as a swinging regulator, known as a 'balancelle'. These clocks were primarily produced in Morez, in the French Jura region, frequently associated with the maker Prosdame. These instruments were designed for installation in the windows of watchmakers or jewelers. Their double-faced design allowed for dual visibility, serving both the shop interior and the exterior street environment to attract interest.
- Movement and Pendulum
- The clock utilizes a brass movement powered by a going barrel. Regulation is maintained through a pin-wheel escapement system. The movement is integrated directly into the bob of a gridiron, second-beating pendulum. The pendulum assembly relies on a knife-edge suspension to facilitate the swinging motion of the clock. This arrangement is visible through the glazed sections of the mahogany housing.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The clock is housed in a mahogany case characterized by its shaped, moulded exterior and vertical taper. The structure includes a moulded pediment featuring a bail finial, which serves to hide the bracket that suspends the clock's pendulum. The design incorporates glazing on both faces, accommodating the double-sided nature of the regulator. Both the front and rear faces possess white enamel dials with Roman numerals. The time display on both sides is completed by blued steel Breguet-style hands.
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: The source suggests the piece may be a unique special order rather than a standard commercial product
- Research required: Attribution to the maker Prosdame is noted in the text as a general production context for such regulators rather than a confirmed maker for this specific lot