Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 148

James McCabe, Royal Exchange, London, No. 2797, circa 1840s. Excellent and desirable gilt brass cased eight day going carriage clock striking and repeating hours on a gong lever escapement. Original mahogany veneered, brass-bound, fitted travelling box, lined with green baize and with front slide, lock and stowage place for winding key.

CHF 50,000 - 55,000

C. Gilt-brass, glazed four sides and top, repeat button. D. Gilt-brass, engraved floral and leaf patterns, blued steel "fleur de lys" hands, steel seconds hand. M. Brass rectangular, fusees and chains to both trains, maintaining power on going side, platform lever escapement, underslung, single roller, pointed-tooth wheel, plain brass balance, flat balance spring, sapphire endstone to balance cock, strike/silent. Signed on dial, movement and travelling box. In good condition. Dim 19.75 x 15.5 x 13.5 cm excluding handle.


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Notes

Note: Most McCabe carriage clocks have lost their travelling boxes. See Allix and Bonnert, Carriage Clocks, 1974, pages 231-232, for the social background of these large and heavy travelling pieces which were supposed to be accompanied by a retinue of servants. The case style of this example seems to have been confined to large clocks.