J.B. Beguin Carriage Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1870
This carriage clock by J.B. Beguin is a gilt brass timepiece dating to circa 1870. The clock features a manual-wind eight-day movement with grande and petite sonnerie striking and repeating functionality.
It is designed with several complications, including day of the week, date, and alarm. The movement is constructed with a rectangular gilt brass frame measuring 90 x 68 mm, featuring four ring-turned pillars, going barrels, and a platform escapement with a lateral lever. The balance is a cut bimetallic compensation type with a blued steel flat balance spring and an index regulator. The striking mechanism uses two hammers on two bells.
The dial and movement are signed. The clock is housed in a decorative gilt brass case measuring 180 mm in height, 98 mm in length, and 85 mm in width, with visible oxidation reported on the case.
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
- Carriage clock
- Maker
- J.B. Beguin
- Balance
- Cut bimetallic compensation balance
- Dimensions
- 180 mm height
- Escapement
- Lateral lever
- Place recorded
- France
- Signature location
- Dial and movement
- Striking mechanism
- Grande and petite sonnerie
- Maker / attribution
- J.B. Beguin
- Movement dimensions
- 90 x 68 mm
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilt brass case with cast decorative figures • Engraved gilt dial plate with central white enamel chapter ring • Inset sub-dials for date and day of the week • Scrolling handle at top of the clock
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is a rectangular gilt brass unit measuring 90 by 68 mm. It incorporates four ring-turned pillars to secure the plates and utilizes going barrels for power. The timekeeping is regulated by a platform escapement featuring a lateral lever and a jewelled impulse pin. The balance assembly consists of a cut bimetallic compensation balance paired with a blued steel flat balance spring and an index regulator. The clock includes a grande and petite sonnerie striking and repeating mechanism, which operates with two hammers striking against two bells. The auction description reports that the movement requires an overhaul.
- Condition and Attribution
- The clock is attributed to France, circa 1870. The auction description provides a grading system for the object, assessing the overall quality as AA or very good. The case is described as good, though it exhibits some surface oxidation. The signatures are located on the dial and the movement. , and the auction records note the condition of the case and movement as distinct areas of observation for the prospective owner.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The carriage clock is encased in a decorative gilt brass housing. The case exhibits elaborate castings, including figural elements on the corners and a scrolling handle fixed to the top of the clock. Glass panels provide visibility to the internal movement from the sides. The dial features a central white enamel chapter ring with Roman numerals for hours. The background plate is finished with detailed metalwork. Below the main chapter ring, there are two distinct indicators for the day of the week and the date, both integrated into the dial plate. The auction description notes that the dial is in good condition.
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: Overhaul recommended for movement functionality
- Research required: Slight oxidation reported on the case