Maison Alcée takes you to discover an object sometimes perceived as obsolete: the clock.

Discover the history of this timepiece through the ages.

Pendulum clocks

The great discoveries, the 16th century:

The pendulum clock or simply pendulum differs from conventional clocks in the way it works. It has the particularity of having its own period. This mechanism revolutionised the world of clock-making. At the time, the pendulum was much more accurate than any other measuring instrument.

This horological innovation made it possible to create less massive clocks. It allowed the appearance of a component that is present today on all timepieces: the minute hand. The creation of the pendulum opened the way to the miniaturisation of horological objects.

After that, the clock was introduced into the home, although it was reserved for the wealthy. It was a means of demonstrating one's wealth and status.

Did you know: In the middle of the 16th century, John Calvin left France for Switzerland to promote the ideas of the Protestant reformation. Decorative objects such as jewellery were forbidden in one of the reforms. As watchmaking was not considered to be decorative, it developed significantly.

The marine chronometer

The Enlightenment, the 18th century:

Did you know: Inaccuracies in determining longitude could lead to tragic errors. This was the case in 1707 when a British squadron returning from the Mediterranean found itself in a fog when it thought it was approaching the English Channel. The ship's captain realised that he had reached the Isles of Scilly. But it was already too late, four ships hit the land and 2,000 men died. This tragedy reinforced the idea that it was urgent to find ways of finding one's way around the sea.

During the Enlightenment, many inventions were made, including the marine chronometer for navigation. This was used to determine longitude at sea and also to define the time precisely. It seems that the first marine chronometer created was that of Jeremy Thacker in 1714, which was submitted to the Longitude Act competition. This competition was launched in England to create an instrument capable of calculating longitude, a technical advance that was impossible at the time.

The marine clock is set to the time of the Greenwich meridian, which is considered the prime meridian. This clock was set off at the ship's departure to complement the maritime tables already in use on the ships.

In order for the longitude to be determined, an officer was instructed to observe, by means of the marine chronometer, the time of passage of the sun or a star on the meridian of the place where the ship was located. The difference between the time of passage and the time given by the maritime tables at which the sun or star should pass the meridian of Greenwich indicates the longitude of the place in the east or west in relation to Greenwich.

Officers' clocks

Industrialization, the 19th century:

Created in 1798 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, officers' clocks owe their fame above all to Napoleon Bonaparte who, before the Egyptian campaign, ordered a "travel clock" from Breguet.

The name "officer's clock" is said to come from an anecdote that Napoleon, exasperated by the regular delays of his officers on the battlefield, asked his officers to have one with them. However, many agree that the name comes from the wording used when orders were placed, namely "an officer's clock".

These clocks were placed in carrying cases with a handle on top so that they could be taken anywhere, protected by velvet covering the inside of the case. The case was open at the front so that the time could be read at any time.

Mysterious clocks

The modern era, the 20th century:

Created for Cartier, the first mystery clock was released in 1912 under the name " Modèle A ". Their creator, Maurice Couet, was inspired by the clocks of the famous illusionist Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin. The principle of these clocks is based on an impressive innovation. The hands are not directly connected to the movement but are attached to two glass discs with serrated metal edges. The hands are driven by the movement, which is usually located at the base of the clocks. It is these glass discs that then drive the hands, one turning at the speed of the minutes, the other at the speed of the hours. To create the perfect illusion, the edges of the discs are hidden by the hour circle.

In 1920, the central axis model was introduced. Unlike the Model A, the discs are not driven by two axes on either side of the base but by a single axis. In 1923, Cartier made a final technical development, with the movement being housed at the top of the famous Portique mystery clocks.

There are several models of mystery clocks, including :

• Mysterious Portico
• Art-Deco mystery clock, inspired by the empire state building
• Mystery clock The sky

There are many others, all equally impressive and beautiful!

Mystery clocks are extremely rare and sometimes require more than 1,000 hours of work. They evoke the suspension of time. These clocks reflect the beauty and elegance of jewellery and the invaluable expertise of Cartier.

The clock has left its mark on history and on the history of watchmaking in particular. It is one of the symbols of the time which passes. Maison Alcée has at heart to perpetuate the beauty of this timeless timepiece.