A fine Swiss Louis XVI ormolu quarter striking ‘pendule d’officier, Robert & Courvoisier, circa 1790

Description

The dial

The 10.5-cm enamel dial has Roman numerals and is signed Robert & Courvoisier. The clock has fine engraved gilt fleur-de-lys hands and a steel alarm hand.

The movement

The movement is driven by a spring barrel with fusee and chain and has a duration of thirty hours. It is regulated by a verge escapement in combination with a balance. The clock has petite sonnerie rack quarter striking on two bells. The hours and quarters can be repeated by pulling a cord. The alarm mechanism that strikes on a bell is driven by a small spring barrel with pull winding and which can be set by the alarm hand. On the bottom of the case is a lever for strike/silent.

The case

The concex sided top is surmounted by a snake handle on an acanthus leaf. To the front and back are wreaths with foliage. To the sides are large acanthus leaf rosettes. The whole is raised on turned feet.