A 19th century industrial skeleton clock Pepin, Paris, circa…
click the photo to enlarge
A 19th century industrial skeleton clock Pepin, Paris, circa 1890 long duration, month going, Brocot escapement with gridiron pendulum, housed under case, the clock 24 x 26 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Brocot Escapement - The Brocot escapement was invented by the French clockmaker Achille Brocot in 1828. It is a type of escapement, which is a mechanism in a timepiece that controls the movement of the gears and regulates the timekeeping accuracy.

    The Brocot escapement is a variation of the detent escapement and it is used in pendulum and spring-driven clocks. It uses a pair of pallets that engage and lock the escape wheel, allowing the clock's power to be transferred to the balance wheel. The escapement also allows the clock's gears to advance in small, precise increments, which helps to improve the clock's timekeeping accuracy. The Brocot escapement was widely used in 19th century for both domestic and public clocks, also it was widely used in marine chronometers.

    The Brocot escapement is known for its high accuracy and stability
  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
  • Pendulum - The pendulum was discovered around 1602 by Galileo Galilei, and was adopted for time keeping by the Dutch mathematician and natural philosopher, Christiaan Huygens, who excelled in astronomy, physics, and horology.

    The pendulum comprises a metal rod usually of brass or steel with a metal disk, known as a bob, at the end. The movement of the pendulum is driven by weights or a spring, and as a pendulum swings in a regular arc, it was found accuracy could be controlled to within a few seconds a week.

    Timekeeping can be adjusted by changing the height of the bob on the rod, making the pendulum either swing slower or faster.

    The disadvantage of the pendulum was that changes in temperature also changed the length of the pendulum, interfering with the accuracy of the clock, and so in the 18th century two types of mercurial pendulums were invented which countered the movement in the steel rod.

    The pendulum was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology until the invention of the quartz clock, regulated by a quartz crystal, in 1927.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A French flame mahogany portico clock. 43 cm high.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A brass cased mantle clock, enamel dial with Roman numerals, on ebonised timber stand, 42.5 cm high

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

An important bracket clock, Benjamin Vulliamy, circa 1810, the silvered Roman numeral dial and fitted thermometer in a polished skeletonized frame, above a mahogany base with brass and floral marquetry inlay. Horizontal steel bow to top supporting weights

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

French portico clock with gilt metal mounts. Condition good to fair, damaged join to the pendulum, unsure if working. Height 50 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.