Elegant table alarm clock with a double dial from the 20th century

The official travel clock with casing, also known as cappuccino, is a desk alarm clock with a double dial and a bell at the bottom, featuring a brass case and all-around cut glass to admire the mechanism. At the back, there are hinged doors that can be opened to wind the clock and set the time using a double key. The set includes the original case. The mechanism dates from the second half of the 19th century and has undergone a thorough restoration.

These clocks, with more or less complicated mechanisms and a vertical construction, were portable desk clocks of French origin, inspired by pendule de voyage or pendule d’officier, which were particularly popular between 1750 and 1850.

It seems that Napoleon Bonaparte desired such a clock, who, annoyed by officers’ delays, forced them to equip themselves with an alarm clock, and then commissioned watchmaker Breguet to create a sturdy, portable alarm clock (hence the case), with a bell and capable of functioning in any position. This is where the name “pendule d’officier” comes from, and it enjoyed widespread popularity in the 19th century.

The watch is in good condition, aside from a small chip on the dial’s enamel and another small chip on the corner of the side glass.

Original Empire-style furniture dates from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Everything was influenced by Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a significant resemblance and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture is characterized by the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles are interesting and noteworthy. Next is Baroque, whose name derives from the Portuguese “barocco”—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces meant to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique, selectively used materials were employed to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture-making art. Renaissance style was quite heavy and bulky, using brown stains, cornices, sturdy bases, and bas-reliefs. These were quite distinctive products but offered many new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas or broadly defined chest furniture. Mythology and ancient times also inspired these designs, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands reproduce such furniture inspired by Italian or French creators. This reflects admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It’s important to remember that furniture production was perceived differently in each country, giving each style its unique character. This is especially important when searching for a luxurious antique suitable for your interior.

The most important aspect of vintage antique furniture is originality. Ultimately, this is crucial from the customer’s perspective, as many counterfeits circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides a certificate confirming the product’s compliance with the actual description and photographs. We have appraisers, art experts, historians, and specialists from around the world at your disposal.