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Maître Jean-Paul RENOUD-GRAPPIN
53
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A rare late 19th-century constant-force ball clock invented …
See original version (French)
53
-
A rare late 19th-century constant-force ball clock invented …
See original version (French)
Estimate €12,000 - €13,000
Voluntary lot
Description
A rare late 19th-century constant-force ball clock invented by Charles HOUR. This model was exhibited at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair.
Also known as a ‘ball clock’, it features a bronze case topped with a patinated lion, with four glass-panelled sides. A compendium comprising a clock, an aneroid barometer and a mercury thermometer (Fahrenheit).
Movement with visible escapement through a window in the white enamel dial, decorated with garlands of flowers and blue Arabic numerals. The bezels of the movement and the barometer are set with rhinestones.
Height 55 cm,
width 28 cm,
depth 17.5 cm,
weight of each globe 282.5 g,
total weight 22.7 kg.
Late 19th century.
The clock is in good condition and was in working order at the time of writing on 14 June 2026. The barometer is not working.
Operation: the mainspring has been removed and replaced by a large sprocket wheel (inspired by a waterwheel) which receives steel balls. The wheel’s rotation is driven by the weight of five balls, thereby providing the motive power necessary for the clock’s operation. Every 16 hours, a ball is released into the lower drawer to be replaced by another from the guide compartment located above the clock. The 12 balls ensure a power reserve of 8 days
Charles Victor Hour: a French clockmaker, founded the Hour-Lavigne company with Maurice Lavigne. He received several awards and was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour.
References:
-An identical clock was presented in 1885 by the French Government to the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
-A similar clock is preserved at the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (Forbidden City).
-Clock described by Mathieu PLANCHON in the report on the Universal Exhibition published in the Revue Chronométrique of October 1900.
Model illustrated in *Mystery Novelty and Fantasy Clocks* by Derek Roberts, page 74
See:
- Chayette/Calmes auction in collaboration with Habsburg, Feldman, 21 June 1989, lot 225.
-Case Auctions (USA), sale of 18 July 2015, lot 228 (final price including fees: $24,800)
Expert: Hazem Zock
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
24 HOURS OF TIME: YEMA – ANTIQUE WATCHES – LUXURY WATCHES
Auction location
Auction time
06/21/2026 at 10:00 AM
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