Striking repeating carriage clock by Drocourt

Object Description

Made by Drocourt for J.W. Benson, this striking repeating eight day carriage clock is of fine quality, and in excellent condition throughout.

The corniche styled case is 6½ inches in height with the handle up. It has been regilded, and all glasses are in pristine condition.

The perfect cream enamel dial is signed for J.W. Benson, and has Roman numerals within an outer minute track. It has fine blued steel moon hands. An angled gilt rectangular border to the dial finishes it off nicely, where usually there is a void.

The 8-day movement strikes and repeats the hours on a gong. The movement backplate is stamped with the serial number 14841, and the Drocourt trademark, a ‘D’ and ‘C’ with an image of a carriage clock between them (partially obscured by the gong in the photo). The original silvered platform has a two-part angled bridge. This is one of the earliest Drocourt clocks where the movement is held to the base plate with two screws to each pillar. The serial number is repeated on the dial plate and case.

Object History

J.W. Benson Ltd was a highly regarded London watch/clockmakers and gold/silversmiths who traded between 1847 and 1973.

Father and son Pierre and Alfred Drocourt were well known for their very fine carriage clocks; they were exhibiting their clocks in Paris from 1855, were awarded the bronze medal at the Besancon Exhibition in 1860 and received numerous gold and silver medals in Paris as well as London between 1860 and 1900.

This clock probably dates from the 1877/78, when Alfred was leading the operation. Drocourt’s serial number 14560 has an engraved presentation dated 1877, so it is fair to speculate that this clock was made around then.

Object Condition

To be overhauled and guaranteed for 3 years.

Object Details