Comtoise clock - Antique - hand-pressed laton copper via the traditional Repoussé technique - 1850-1900

Complete, fully working antique French Comtoise wall clock with date indication and harp pendulum – France.

Offered is a special, collectible and fully functional example of an antique French Comtoise wall clock (Morbier) in the distinctive Napoleon III style from around 1860–1880.

This specific model distinguishes itself from standard Comtoise clocks by the presence of a central date indication (numbers 1 through 31 on the inner dial), indicated by an extra, half-moon hand.

The clock is a beautiful example of the historical and artisanal 'home-work system' from the famous mountainous Jura region (Morez/Morbier) in France, where local blacksmiths and clockmakers hand-made these monumental timepieces in the 19th century. Today this style fits perfectly in both a classic antique and a French country interior.

Movement & Complications:

Clock type: Mechanical 8-day pinwheel or cage clock (week runner) with a stable and reliable anchor escapement.
Authentic drive: The movement has retained the highest degree of originality and still operates via the original rope mechanism (thread winding) around the brass drums. It has not been converted to chains or steel wire, which is highly sought after by collectors.

Striking: Equipped with a traditional strike mechanism that strikes on the hour and half-hour on a clear-sounding bronze bell. Including the characteristic historical Comtoise strike-repetition (where the hourly strikes are repeated again after about 4–5 minutes).

Date Complication (Calendrier): An extra gear train behind the dial ensures that the central date hand advances exactly one day every 24 hours.

Materials & Techniques: Fronton & Pendulum Lens: High-quality, ultra-thin hand-stamped latten-brass. Made using the traditional Repoussé technique, producing a stunning three-dimensional high-relief. The dial shows a very detailed and vivid representation of French farming and harvest life. The brass has a beautiful, warm and authentic antique patina.

Pendulum: A monumental and shining harp pendulum built from multiple brass pins.

Movement & Case: Robust wrought iron (for the cage construction and doors) and heavy, solid cast iron for the weights. Bell: Cast bronze (bell metal) for a long-lasting and pure tone. Dial: Convex iron base, coated with a thick layer of white ceramic enamel and inset black numerals.

Condition Report:

Mechanical: The clock is in working condition; the movement runs and strikes properly.
Dial: Authentic condition with a dense network of patina craquelure and some superficial hairline cracks, consistent with a age of over 150 years. No major restorations or large missing enamel sections.
Accessories: This lot is sold as a complete set, including the two original heavy cast-iron weights, each 4.5 kg (total weight 9 kg) with the original suspension eye.

Movement & Case: The interior workings look complete and clean. The original back and side doors are present and close well. The brass fronton has a small historical crack on the lower-left side in the thin latten-brass (see detail photo), which is completely normal for this type of clock and bears witness to its pure age.

Delivery & Transport (Important):
Because of the length and extreme fragility of the large harp pendulum, PICKUP is absolutely preferred.
If the buyer insists on shipping, note that the clock must be completely disassembled (movement, the heavy 4.5 kg cast-iron weights each, the pendulum and the brass fronton separately) and shipped in a very large, heavily protected box. This is the only way to prevent transport damage to the fragile antique material. The total shipping weight exceeds 15 kg due to the heavy weights. The risk of transport and subsequent reassembly and fine-tuning of the clock is entirely the buyer's responsibility in that case.
Shipping is, of course, by registered mail and fully insured.