A French made carriage clock by Gay, Lamaille & Co. made in Paris. It is a five minute repeater and features the Patent Surety Roller. 218102.

The Patent Surety Roller refers to a mechanical device that is intended to ensure the accuracy of the strike-work in a carriage clock. Due to the precise nature of the design, the strike train in a carriage clock can be susceptible to being bumped out of sequence (star wheel) when the clock is being transported. Moritz Immisch addressed this concern and patented a spring-operated lever device, sometimes referred to as a jumper, that puts pressure on the star wheel and prevents an unintentional change. This device became known as the PSR and was introduced in 1879. The Paris clockmakers Gay, Lamaille & Company acquired the patent in 1880. It is evident that this firm also made and supplied movements for others, including Dent, Frodsham, and Parkinson & Frodsham. 

This brass cased example features very unusual side columns. They are turned smooth and are decorated with nine textured bands. This band detail is repeated in the design of the carrying handle. The rest of the case design has classic features. The four glass side panels and the viewing window at the top of the case all feature beveled edges. One can access the movement by opening the rear door. This clock features a well-made brass-made movement. It is designed to run for eight days on a full wind and is spring powered. This clock will strike the hour on a coil gong located and mounted to the back of the movement. It also has two repeat buttons located at the top of the case. Depress the forward button, and the clock will strike the last hour. Depress the rear button, and it will strike once for each of the previous five-minute markers the minute hand has passed. This is done through the design of the star wheel, which is located on the back plate. This repeat feature was incorporated into clocks like this so that one could place the clock on the night table. If you were to wake from sleep in the hours of darkness, you could press these repeat buttons, and the clock would strike the approximate time. This would be much more convenient than having to fumble in the darkness, looking for a match to strike to light a candle and visually read the dial. The back plate is Stamped "G.L." in an oval located on the lower left-hand side. The serial number, "3932," is die-stamped just below it. The "PATENT SURETY / ROLLER" is also stamped in an oval in the center of the plate. This clock is currently in good as-found condition. We have not had a chance to service the movement. This service will be performed when the clock is sold. The dial presentation is very clean. The circular time dial features Roman-style hour numerals and an open minute ring. Blued steel hands depict the time. The dial is framed in a brass mat. The mat is polished and smooth. It is also framed with beveled edge moldings on all four sides. 

This clock measures 7 and 3/8ths inches tall with the handle in the upright position. The base is 4 inches wide and 3 and 5/8ths inches deep. This clock was made circa 1890.

For additional information about this Clockmaker and its Patent, please read Tom Wotruba's excellent article, "The story behind PATENT SURETY ROLLER stamped on carriage clocks." It was published in the Antiquarian Horological Society in June 2017. 

Inventory number 219102.

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  • A French made carriage clock by Gay, Lamaille and Company made in Paris. It is a five minute repeater and features the Patent Surety Roller. 218102. Delaney Antique Clocks.
  • A French made carriage clock by Gay, Lamaille & Co. made in Paris. With the Patent Surety Roller. 218102. Delaney Antique Clocks.
  • A French made carriage clock by Gay, Lamaille & Co. made in Paris. It is a five minute repeater. 218102. Delaney Antique Clocks.