Sonnerie Clock
A sonnerie clock strikes the hours and quarters automatically on every passage, offering the pinnacle of nineteenth-century mechanical horology for the discerning collector.
Sonnerie Clock
A sonnerie clock is an intricate horological piece that automatically chimes the hours and quarters as time passes, functioning independently of manual repeating cords. Buyers seeking a sonnerie clock will primarily encounter French carriage clocks and wall-mounted Vienna regulators dating from the nineteenth century.
The carriage clock format dominates current selections, housed in brass, gilded brass, or gorge cases alongside glass panels that expose the movement. These pieces frequently incorporate additional complications such as alarm mechanisms, date work, and moon-phases within Victorian and late nineteenth-century French styles.
Materials and construction
These clocks rely on heavy brass and gilded brass frameworks, often enclosing polished steel components and fitted with white enamel dials. Gorge cases and traditional glass panels protect the complex gear trains while displaying the internal striking mechanisms.
Wood plays a structural role in wall-mounted Vienna regulators, utilising walnut cases to house the triple weight systems required for extended running and striking power. Leather travelling cases occasionally accompany carriage clocks to protect the exterior gilding and delicate escapements during transit.
Sonnerie Clock Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for sonnerie clock among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Current selections span Victorian and French Third Republic periods, featuring materials from glass and enamel to walnut and gilded brass.
Distinctions in quality
Quality in these pieces is dictated by the complexity and refinement of the movement, particularly the inclusion of grand sonnerie striking alongside date work, moon-phases, and alarm functions. The presence of engraved platforms and original matching keys further elevates the standing of an individual clock.
The enclosure housing the movement heavily influences overall distinction, where substantial gorge cases with original gilding demonstrate superior craftsmanship compared to simpler housings. Master makers who supplied signed movements and custom escapements set the benchmark for high-tier production.
J. F. Bautte Et Cie·Bourdin Paris·Gustav Becker·Moser·J.W. Benson·Hunt And Roskell·Drocourt·Dent
The Sonnerie Clock Glossary
- Grande sonnerie
- A striking mechanism that chimes the hours and the current quarters automatically on every quarter-hour without requiring manual activation. This system demands intricate twin or triple train gear arrangements.
- Petite sonnerie
- A striking train that chimes the hours on the exact hour and only the quarters on the quarter-hours, omitting the accumulated hours at each intermediate interval.
- Gorge case
- A specific stepped-top brass carriage clock case style popular during the nineteenth century. It provides robust protection for the glass panels and heavy movement within.
- Vienna regulator
- A precision wall-mounted pendulum clock driven by weights, originating in Austria during the nineteenth century. These clocks are celebrated for their accurate timekeeping and elongated wood or walnut cases.
Sonnerie Clock: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sonnerie clock?
A sonnerie clock is an advanced timekeeper that strikes the hours and quarters automatically as the clock runs, without requiring the user to pull a cord.
Most examples found in nineteenth-century collections are portable French carriage clocks or large Austrian wall regulators.
How does grande sonnerie differ from petite sonnerie?
A grande sonnerie strikes both the hours and the quarters at every quarter-hour interval, sounding the current hour followed by the quarters.
A petite sonnerie strikes only the quarters as they pass and saves the full hour strike for the exact turn of the hour.
Where were carriage clocks used?
Nineteenth-century travellers used carriage clocks to maintain accurate time while moving across Europe by coach or train.
Their robust brass gorge cases and glass panels allowed the delicate movements to endure travel while remaining visible.
How do I care for a Vienna regulator?
Vienna regulators require secure wall mounting on a solid vertical surface to ensure the pendulum swings plumb and the weight drops evenly.
Regular professional servicing keeps the intricate train gears and triple weight systems functioning smoothly over decades.