Alfred Drocourt Archives - It's About Time

Bryson & Sons Large Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:35:52 +0000

In the world of horology, every now and then a clock will take your breath away, this is one them! A rare ‘giant’ or large Carriage clock in the ‘Corniche’ case design with beautifully engraved dial mask. Bryson & Son were in business in Edinburgh from 1844 to 1900 after which Hamilton & Inches took over and are still trading there to this day on Princes Street. Robert Bryson, both junior and senior were highly respected clockmakers with Robert Senior being the clock and watchmaker to Queen Victoria. This fine clock was made in the workshops of Drocourt, Paris and bears the Drocourt stamp. Most large clockmakers of the late 1900’s had a contract with one of the large, high quality Carriage clock makers in France and could then sign their clocks, like this one, Bryson & Son, Paris. This fine clock has now been fully restored and is best viewed in our shop to appreciate the proportions and quality. The movement has repeat function so you can hear the last hour in the dark, activated through the button to the top. We would imagine this clock being a ‘Special order’ for a large room or even the window display of Bryson’s on Princes Street as the size would make rather impractical as a travel clock! Sold with a two year guarantee and can be delivered almost anywhere in the world.

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Charles Frodsham, Strike-Silent Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:09:21 +0000

No 20055 is a fine gilt ‘Gorge’ Carriage clock with push repeat, strike-silent and alarm function, it was finished and retailed by the famous Charles Frodsham of London and Paris and given the number 20055. . Charles Frodsham is London’s (and the worlds) oldest remaining clock, watch and chronometer makers. Charles was born in April 1810. He set up, as a young man, his own business in 1834. He very quickly became an important Chronometer maker and then purchased in 1844 the prestigious ’84 The Strand’ after John Roger Arnold suddenly passed away. You can read more about the history of the Frodsham’s directly on their website, should you be interested. The number 20055 dates the clock using the Frodsham numbering system to around 1890-1900. The gilding on this clock has been carefully preserved and looks truly stunning. An important feature of this clock is the strike – silent selection lever to the base, this is rarely seen and adds another layer of interest to this particular clock. The dial and hands are simply superb. The dial has the all important name and number. The clock was made for Charles Frodsham by Drocourt and bears their stamp and number 28066 on the backplate too. To the base of the backplate it is engraved with Charles Frodsham and the number (see last photo) We have numerous pictures of the restoration which we can’t upload to our website but are available on request.
The clock strikes on a soft gong and has hourly and half hourly strike. Circa 1890 to 1900.
A great investment piece.
Please remember we are closed Sundays and Mondays, open every other day from 9am until 5pm

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Fine Le Roy & Fils Carriage Clock with Case.

Paul Williams — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 10:20:19 +0000

No11365 is a superb gilt Carriage clock with push repeat and alarm function, it was finished and retailed by the famous Le Roy & Fils, 211 Regent Street, London and of The Palais Royal, Paris. The clock was made by Drocourt and also bears their stamp and number (in small) on the backplate. The gilding on this clock has been carefully preserved (see macro images) and has that wonderful 'orange peel' finish you get with mercurial gilding. The outer protective leather covered case is in remarkable condition with glass panel and slide, we can assume the fact that this clock has been protected in the outer case for the last 140 years has preserved this rare finish seldom seen these days. The clock strikes on a soft gong and has hourly and half hourly strike. Circa 1890.
A great investment piece...in our opinion!
Please remember we are closed Sundays and Mondays, open every other day from 9am until 5pm

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Fine Petite Sonnerie Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 10:44:58 +0000

Here we have a fine, quarter chiming or 'petite sonnerie' carriage clock by 'Drocourt' for J.W.Benson.
The fine gilded gorge case is of slightly smaller than average size. The dial is near perfect and free of any chips but with a very faint hairline to the top right corner (very small and faint). The movement strikes the hours and quarters with the addition of push repeat. The clock has the Drocourt stamp on the back plate and the Drocourt Oval on the reverse of the dial. Alfred and Pierre Drocourt were both superb clockmakers, they had a factory in Saint-Nicolas-d'Ailermont, which was regarded as the most important town for carriage clock manufacturing. The majority of their clocks would go to their Paris premises and dispersed amongst the world's top retailers of that time. They exhibited at the major exhibitions winning a bronze medal at Paris 1867, the Silver at Paris 1878 and the gold at Paris in 1889. The son, Alfred, succeeded his father Pierre sometime in the 1870's. The clock is numbered 16949 which puts the date to circa 1875-80. To find a 'petite sonnerie' by J.W.Benson and Drocourt in this condition is quite rare. A truly wonderful clock with a very good tone to the two gongs. Supplied with an original Morroco leather covered case.

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Exceptional Giant Carriage Clock – J.W.Benson

Paul Williams — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:20:22 +0000

A particularly elegant example of a giant carriage clock, made by Drocourt and retailed through J.W. Benson circa 1900. It is rare to come across a giant carriage of such fine quality, and this timepiece is in excellent condition with a beautiful gilt finish. The original enamelled dial is signed J.W. Benson, Ludgate Hill, London, with large Roman numerals and outer minutes of typical Drocourt style. The movement is stamped DROCOURT, hidden between the plates and the Oval logo to the rear. As with all of our clocks, it has been cleaned and restored, and the exceptional condition of the movement can be seen through the bevelled glass panels, along with the beautiful large top quality platform escapement, J.W. Benson had a thriving business with Alfred Drocourt throughout the late Victorian period and into the Edwardian period, and this clock is one of the best examples we have seen from this partnership. Interestingly the springs on this clock are signed A.D 12/02, the signing of clock springs was usually carried out by the person who assembled it. Alfred Drocourt would have enjoyed assembling this ‘Giant’ in 1902!

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Oval Drocourt Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:17:59 +0000

A very good example of the Oval shape carriage by Drocourt. This clock shows hand engraving to the case, a white enamel dial indistinctly signed Leith Street Edinburgh below the Six. The fancy handle is also engraved. The movement has been fully dismantled and serviced and photo’s of the restoration can be supplied but please look at all the pictures supplied here. The clockmaker – Drocourt is a very well known maker and is written about in many publications. The book written by Allix & Bonnert – Carriage clocks and their makers is particularly good. Alfred the son of Pierre Drocourt took over the business in the 1870’s , they had won several medals at the Paris exhibitions – Bronze 1867 , Silver 1868 and the Gold medal in 1889.

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Carriage Clock

Website Admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 16:52:44 +0000

A simple ‘Corniche’ shape carriage clock with push repeat on demand and striking on a soft gong. A super quality gilt case with bevelled ‘sight’ to the dial and multi piece base. The dial displaying Roman numerals with smaller outer minutes and in perfect condition. The original hands, the original escapement. The original outer leather case and key. Numbered 22543 which is a Drocourt serial number and has all the hallmarks of Alfred Drocourt with the ‘Arrow’ for hand setting and dates to 1900-10. Sold fully guaranteed for 2 years. A very reasonably priced clock and would make an ideal gift.

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