Front, Back, Back open, Back close up, Dial close up, Bottom, Side 1, Side 2, Top view, Signature

Carriage clocks are collected for their style and features. There are some high precision carriage clocks, but these are the exceptions. The standard high end carriage clock is the Grand Sonnerie. The technical challenge of the Grand Sonnerie is not the timekeeping or added complications, but rather the strike train. In Grand Sonnerie striking, the clock chimes the quarters with a double blow for each quarter (i.e. 1 for 1st quarter, 2 for 2nd quarter and 3 for 3rd quarter). The hammers are arranged to strike a double blow each time with a single lift. In addition to the quarters, the clock also strikes the most recent hour each time. If the clock is to run for 8 days and strike Grand Sonnerie the entire time, it must strike 6144  blows per winding (6 x 13 x  4 x 16 hours + 6 x 24 x 8 quarters). The strike train must be very finely made to achieve this in the relatively small confines of a carriage clock.

This example is in a Gorge style case and sports an alarm function in addition to the striking. It is signed with the monogram D. G. on the back plate. Most Grand Sonnerie carriage clocks have a switch on the bottom to allow one to select Petite Sonnerie, Grand Sonnerie, or Silent. On this clock the only options are strike and silent as might be found on a Petite Sonnerie clock. Over the years some unscrupulous tinkerers have converted Petite Sonnerie clocks to Grand Sonnerie. Such a clock will only strike for about 2 days before running down the strike train. While my clock will not strike for a full 8 days, it does manage 5 days with a full winding and it is not likely to be a convert. It just needs a very careful overhaul of the strike train.