Clock - Antique Copper - 1750-1800
05
days
17
hours
04
minutes
14
seconds
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A rare French revolutionary copper antique clock dating to circa 1793–1795, with a mechanical movement, 8-day power reserve, half-hour strike by a single bell, and a double dial showing decimal revolution hours and traditional hours, measuring 12 × 12 × 8 cm.
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Description from the seller
This is an extremely rare French revolutionary clock (also called a republican clock) with a double time indication, manufactured during the French Revolution around 1793–1795.
The dial is designed to display both traditional time and the then-introduced decimal time simultaneously.
This helped citizens acclimate to the new system, which was eventually abolished after only 17 months due to widespread discontent.
The clock combines two different systems on a single ingenious dial:
The decimal hours (Inner circle): The bold Arabic numerals 1 through 10 (with 10 or '0' at the top) indicate the French revolutionary hours.
A revolutionary day consisted of only 10 hours. The thin, dark hand points to this hour scale.
The traditional hours (Outer circle): The Roman numerals I through XII show the classic 24-hour cycle (divided into two sets of 12 hours).
The beautifully decorated, gold-colored hour hand with the star at the end is linked to this traditional timekeeping. The minute indication:
The outer scale shows the minute divisions. Here too a double logic is applied. Revolutionary time indeed had 100 minutes in an hour, while the old system retained 60 minutes.
The elegant gold hand indicates the traditional minutes.
This is an extremely rare French revolutionary clock (also called a republican clock) with a double time indication, manufactured during the French Revolution around 1793–1795.
The dial is designed to display both traditional time and the then-introduced decimal time simultaneously.
This helped citizens acclimate to the new system, which was eventually abolished after only 17 months due to widespread discontent.
The clock combines two different systems on a single ingenious dial:
The decimal hours (Inner circle): The bold Arabic numerals 1 through 10 (with 10 or '0' at the top) indicate the French revolutionary hours.
A revolutionary day consisted of only 10 hours. The thin, dark hand points to this hour scale.
The traditional hours (Outer circle): The Roman numerals I through XII show the classic 24-hour cycle (divided into two sets of 12 hours).
The beautifully decorated, gold-colored hour hand with the star at the end is linked to this traditional timekeeping. The minute indication:
The outer scale shows the minute divisions. Here too a double logic is applied. Revolutionary time indeed had 100 minutes in an hour, while the old system retained 60 minutes.
The elegant gold hand indicates the traditional minutes.
Details
Era
1400-1900
Number of objects
1
Material
Copper
Clock mechanism
Mechanical
Power reserve
8 day movement
Striking
half hour, one bell
Style
Antique
Country of origin
France
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of ageing
In working order
No
Height
12 cm
Width
12 cm
Depth
8 cm
Estimated period
1750-1800
Weight
500 g
Winding key
No
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