7,670 CHF
“Decimal Time” France, circa 1795. Fine and very rare ormolu and marble Revolutionary mantel clock. Round gray marble pedestal with square base joined by a molded ormolu ring, terminated at the top by a round ormolu disc, small foot supporting the movement housing, white marble amphora-shaped finial, four chains hanging from the pedestal. White enamel, outermost Arabic numerals, inner quarter-hour divisions, innermost decimal revolutionary Roman chapter. Single blued steel “arrow” hand. 61 mm., brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement brass balance with flat balance spring, continental cock in shape of a star. Dim. Height 32 cm. To be sold without reserve Notes After the French Revolution a new digital calendar was adopted, and the system of time measurement was completely changed. The day was divided into ten hours of 100 minutes each, and each minute was subdivided into 100 seconds. The dial of the present clock illustrates these innovations. The law introducing the changes was passed on 24 November 1793, and decimal hour measurement was suspended on 7 April 1795, meaning that these timepieces were produced during a period of only 18 months. The present watch features the single hand arrangement which Breguet so favored for his souscription watches a few years later.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-05-14
