Foreword
This is an
antique French Corniche (three-plate) timepiece carriage housed in a gilded
Anglaise style case , which is a little more ornate than the standard case, in
that it has bees and floral stamped patterns running up the columns, as well as
a decorative handle.
The face consists of a circular ivory-coloured chapter ring with Arabic numerals and is mounted in a gilded masked dial plate with gilded centre piece. The blued-steel hands are of the “spade and poker” style.
The clocks’ height with handle raised is 14.8 cms (5.8”). The “standard-sized” clocks were around 5.5” tall.
Please take note of the pictures and description as they both form an integral part of this auction.
Warranty
This clock is warrantied against operational defects for twelve months from the date of dispatch and the buyer is responsible for any/all transport costs to and from base. The warranty does not cover damage caused by negligence or from the clock being mishandled, tampered with or dropped. The user guide clearly describes its handling and operational requirements.
About
The three-plate movement (Corniche), was in reasonable condition when the clock was acquired. It comes with a silvered Swiss split regulator platform and a correctly-fitting double-ended key.
Towards the very end of the 19th century and thereafter, the vast majority of French timepiece-only carriage clocks had just two movement plates (0bis), with varying styles of cases, as cost-cutting measures were introduced. Once the 0bis timepieces came into being, timepiece-only carriage clocks with Corniche movements were usually produced only by the most well-known makers– and usually with decorative dials and cases.
This clock carries a serial number of 86 – see later. The initials “F.E.” are stamped on the inside of the back-plate inside an oval, in its bottom right-hand corner, but despite research, no maker has been identified.
Although the movement has a replacement Swiss gorge platform; bearing in mind that the movement is Corniche (three-plate), the case is in the Anglaise style (Victorian) and the numerals are Arabic (late Victorian/early Edwardian era), I estimate the clock to have been manufactured during the late 19th. to early 20th. century – so circa 1895/1905.
To see examples of other carriage clocks I have restored, please go to You Tube and enter “Margaine carriage clocks”.
Statistics:
·
Width - including
base platform – 7.9 cms.
·
Depth - including
base platform – 6.9 cms.
·
Height - including
base platform – 11.1 cms. and with handle raised – 14.8 cms.
·
Weight – 1.05Kgs, or 2lbs. 7ozs.
The movement... is number-stamped throughout as follows:
·
86 - inside
of back-plate - bottom right-hand corner.
·
86 – front of front plate - bottom left-hand
corner.
·
86 - back
of false plate - bottom centre.
·
86 – back of gilded dial plate – bottom centre.
The movement was dismantled to component level and the following procedures carried out:
1.
All components cleaned ultrasonically in a
horological cleaning solution; washed, rinsed and heater-dried.
2.
All wheels, arbors, pinions, leaves and
pivots checked for alignment and wear.
3.
All pivots polished on clockmaker’s lathe.
4.
Movement plates examined and pivot holes
checked for wear – (possible distortion, usually due to mechanical pressure,
lack of servicing, or simply age-related wear) – no issue found.
5.
Pivot holes pegged out to remove any
remaining debris (usually a “paste” of old/dried oil).
6.
Mainspring barrel dismantled, spring removed,
checked for wear (none found), cleaned, lightly greased and re-assembled.
This is the clock’s “muscle”.
7.
All components brush-polished with French
chalk, re-washed, rinsed, heater-dried and then de-greased in isopropyl
alcohol.
8.
Movement re-assembled - all arbors checked
for “end shake”.
9.
Contrate cock adjustment sink oiled and depth
screw adjusted accordingly to ensure contrate arbor has correct amount of “end
shake”.
10.
Sinks oiled with high-grade Moebius clock
oil.
The platform... is the clock’s “heartbeat”, as it manages the power generated by the mainspring through the going train – i.e., it controls the clock’s timekeeping and is also the most delicate assembly.
As mentioned previously, this is a silvered Swiss split
regulator platform. Although a
replacement, these Gorge platforms do provide for excellent timekeeping. The following procedures were undertaken:
1.
Platform cleaned ultrasonically as a complete unit in
horological cleaning fluid.
2.
Completely dismantled and heater dried – platform base carefully
cleaned.
3.
Hairspring checked – no rust and no other issues found.
4.
Jewels checked for wear - pegged out and cleaned.
5.
Balance wheel, impulse jewel/roller, fork and pallets
cleaned; pivots and all jewels checked for wear.
6.
Escape wheel, pinion, leaves and index all cleaned and
checked for wear.
7.
Components cleaned and de-greased in isopropyl alcohol.
8.
Platform reassembled, oiled with high grade watch oil, powered,
even beat adjustment made and balance wheel timed to 18,000 beats/hr.
Once overhauled, timed and adjusted, the platform is now in excellent working order. It produces an even beat, a very positive action, with the hairspring “beating” correctly within the index.
The face-plate, dial and hands... are all in excellent condition. The gilded dial plate and centre piece were cleaned in a horological cleaner, rinsed and heater-dried. The ivory-coloured chapter ring with its black Arabic numerals, minute markers and club-style five-minute markers was cleaned in a mild cleaning agent, rinsed and gently heater-dried.
The movement, dial plate and hands were re-assembled and powered while the case was overhauled, keeping excellent time.
The case... as mentioned earlier, is gilded and in the Anglaise style with bees and floral designs running down each of the four corner pillars. I believe the gilding is original. It is in excellent condition, with very few marks, all of which are commensurate with the clock’s age.
The case was dismantled to component level. All component parts are stamped 42 (excluding the carry handle), showing the case to be an original. The following procedures were carried out:
1.
Parts soaked in a de-lacquering solution,
cleaned, washed, rinsed and heater-dried.
2.
All parts dipped in isopropyl alcohol for
de-greasing and treated with Renaissance wax - for handling protection.
3.
The bevelled glass panels are all in good
condition.
4.
Case re-assembled.
The door closes firmly - another indication of the case’s quality and previous care.
The case will now maintain its current lustre/appearance for years. Regular light and careful dusting will keep it looking in top condition - as it does today. It will not require any other form of cleaning or polishing.
Testing... was carried out once the movement was reinstalled into its case and powered. It has now been run for three weeks without any issues.
Please note: the index’s regulator arm is very close to its centre position, which is where it should be after a correct, complete overhaul and regulation; with the clock keeping excellent time.
Payment... is acceptable in most forms of cleared funds prior to shipment, such as bank transfer, cash or personal cheque. Should personal collection be required, then the transaction must be paid for in cash at the point of collection. Please note I do not accept PayPal.
Shipping... will take place within one working day of receipt of cleared payment. However, every effort is made to ship on the same day.
UK – products are shipped via the Royal Mail on its “Next working day 1pm, fully insured, tracked and signed for” delivery service.
Export customers - please contact me for shipping costs, as they are destination-dependent. Please note - shipping is always carried out on a tracked, signed-for and fully insured basis. Any/all destination Customs and/or import duties and/or related taxes are the exclusive and sole responsibility of the buyer. This is an express condition of any export transaction. The price shown is for delivery to Australia.
Warranty
The clock is warrantied against operational defects for twelve months from the date of dispatch and the buyer is responsible for all transport costs to and from base. The warranty does not cover damage caused by negligence or from the clock being mishandled or dropped. The user guide clearly describes the handling and operational requirements for this clock.
Conclusion
This antique
French Corniche movement and gilded Anglaise case timepiece carriage clock is now
in excellent condition, after having been carefully and professionally overhauled. As can be seen from its serial numbers, it is
an original clock and will grace any home or make a much-appreciated gift to
mark a special occasion.
A user guide is supplied as is the signed
restoration report.
Should you have any additional questions, please don't
hesitate to ask - I'll be happy to help.
Thank you
for looking