Only Online Auction
Geneva, Dec 08, 2022
LOT 430
Unsigned
8-day going ball-clock based on a model presented at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900, constant force, thermometer, barometer; “Pendule à Billes”; gilded brass and glass
CHF 2,000 - 4,000
EUR 2,100 - 4,100 / USD 2,200 - 4,300 / HKD 16,600 - 33,200TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE
Sold: CHF 1,750
Gilded brass and glass, vertical rectangular-shaped mantel clock, with constant force device, so-called “perpetual” ball-clock; with an additional thermometer (on the left side) and an aneroid barometer (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock).
The glass cabinet is topped by a lion. In the base of the clock there is a drawer in which the steel balls are placed by themselves as they rotate.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: A |
Good |
Case: 3-6-8 |
Good Slightly oxidized Slightly scratched |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Unsigned, unknown origin
Model replica of a “Pendule à Billes” (ball-clock)
Year late 20th-century
Movement No. unnumbered
Case No. unnumbered
Material gilded brass and glass
Caliber 8-day gooing
Dimensions 47 x 23 x 17.5 cm.
Weight 14.5 kg. (approx.)
Notes
Ball-clock
This model of clock, with perpetual motion and constant force, is described by Mathieu Planchon (1842-1921), a French clockmaker, creator of automata, historian of horology and prolific author. He published numerous articles on the Paris Universal Exhibition where he described and showed many drawings allowing the general public to understand the concepts of perpetual motion and constant force. A clockmaker himself, and understanding that any mechanical clock must stop working at some point, he was fascinated by the fact that a perpetual clock could not exist.
These ball-clocks are inspired by the old medieval water-clocks that Mathieu Planchon also describes in one of his books on the history of clockmaking. It is not unthinkable that Mathieu Planchon himself designed and built these types of clocks as he was renowned for making modern copies of older clocks. In order to give the illusion of perpetual motion, a large part of the challenge for clockmakers interested in this phenomenon is to hide the mechanism necessary for the clock to work.
To date, six models of ball-clocks dating from the end of the 19th century and/or the beginning of the 20th century are listed: one is preserved in Florida, another was offered in 1894 to the British consulate in Tunis, another was sold to the imperial court of China and is today preserved in the Beijing Museum of Horology. The replica we present here dates from the end of the 20th century.
The lion at the top of the clock is inspired by the Medici Lions found on either side of their house in Rome. Each Lion holds a sphere in reference to the six spheres on the family coat-of-arms.
CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS.
The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 26% of the hammer price on each lot.
Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete.
The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.