Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 14, 1990
Paul Garnier, Hr. du Roi, Paris. Circa 1832.
A fine and very rare quarter-striking, repeating and alarm carriage clock with date and Garnier's special escapement. GiIt-metal one-piece case engraved with foliage, glazed on three sides and the top, with sliding gilt-metal back foor, similarly engraved, with winding shutter. White enamel dial with Roman hour chapters, subsidiary ring below for alarmsetting and date. Blued-steel "fantaisies" hands. Rectangular brass movement with going barrels, the escapement set within the train with twin vertical steel " scape wheels and "D" shaped ruby pallet. Plain three-arm gold balance with flat sping and regulator. Striking on two bells. Signed on the dial and movement. In very good condition. Dim. 13.8 x 10.4 x 8.4 cm. excluding handle. Paul Garnier developed his escapement from the earlier attempts by Enderlin to make a successful vertical frictional rest escapement. The purpose of such a device was to allow the balance to be mounted at right angles to the train without the need for a contrate wheel with its attendant friction. Only the earliest examples of his carriage clocks were fitted with a gold balance and ruby pallet. The calendar dial is also a rare addition.
