Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 11, 2012

LOT 200

VINER - EXCEPTIONAL ENGLISH CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH ORIGINAL OUTER BOX Viner, 235 Regent Street, London. Made circa 1830. Extremely fine and rare, rosewood, month-going with double powerreserve indications for both trains, quarter-striking carriage clock with perpetual calendar, pull-wind alarm and duplex escapement. Accompanied by the fine original rosewood travelling box.

CHF 20,000 - 40,000

USD 22,000 - 45,000 / EUR 17,000 - 33,000

Sold: CHF 74,500

C. Rectangular rosewood, architectural form with moulded cornice, chamfered corners, moulded base with block feet, detachable chamfered top concealing a glazed aperture to view the balance, glazed front with gilt-brass fi let, back door with bowed inset pierced foliate brass grille for sound transmission, hinged brass handle fl ush-fi tting the top of the case, circular arbour on the right side for key-setting of the alarm. D. Silvered with painted radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, twin power-reserve sectors showing state of wind for both trains, three silvered dials below for the date, days of the week and months, engine-turned gilt-brass mask. Blued steel poire hands. M. Rectangular gilt-brass plates with six pillars, both trains with fuse and chain, Harrison?s maintaining power, perpetual calendar mechanism mounted on a further plate on the dial plate, jeweled underslung duplex escapement on a gilt platform, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel fl at balance spring, index regulator, striking the quarters with two hammers on two coiled gongs, pull-wind alarm train with a further hammer sounding on an inverted bell. Dial and movement signed. Dim. 22 x 14.5 x 11 cm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-8-01

Good

Slightly scratched

HANDS Original

Notes

This clock is particularly complicated for an English carriage clock of this period, combining the functions of month-going duration, quarter-striking, perpetual calendar and alarm in a clock of relatively small size. The feature of a perpetual calendar is rare in any English clock. It is evident that this clock must have been made for or sold to a very important and knowledgeable client, in addition to the complications already mentioned, it is fi tted with a duplex escapement intended to give an accuracy approaching that of the chronometer escapement. The other exceptional feature is the double power-reserve indication, these two sectors show the state of wind for both the going and striking trains so that the clock?s owner knows exactly how much power remains and can therefore wind either of the trains before the clock stops so preventing any loss of timekeeping. The case has the interesting feature of a detachable top allowing the balance to be viewed if required whilst maintaining the elegant architectural integrity of the design. The outer travelling box has remarkably survived and is constructed in rosewood to the same standard of the clock itself and has a fl ush-fi tting brass handle on the lid. The patina of both the clock and travelling box is beautifully preserved. Viner Charles Edward Viner (1788-1879) was a very fi ne watch, clock and chronometer maker, he was apprecticed to Thomas Savage and became a member of the Clockmakers Company in 1813. Viner was recorded working at 235 Regent Street, London between 1829 and 1842.