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About Carriage Clocks
Also known as portable clocks or "pendules d'officier", the carriage clocks are easily recognisable by their form. It is typically a metal rectangular framed case, often with glazed panels, with a carrying handle on the top.
Originated in France, Abraham Louis Breguet is said to have been the inventor of the carriage clock in the late 18th century/early 19th century. It is a small and spring-driven clock set with glass, not often embellished with Limoges enamel or porcelain panels. The particular individual design of round topped, hump-back case with silver chains at the top are typical of Breguet's highest quality carriage clocks.
Some other French makers, such as Paul Garnier and Leroy continued in making the clocks for 100 years.
It often has a complicated striking works and an alarm. Some of them, have a spring-driven movement with a lever escapement lasting eight days and a repeat mechanism which could strike the half quarters and the hours.
There is a distinction between the anglaise style of carriage clocks, designed for the English taste and which is basically very "square" and the anglaise riche-styled case which is more decorated with columns, mouldings and sometimes enamel panels.
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