Overview

A well-presented vintage Matthew Norman of London brass carriage clock, with a white dial, black Roman numerals and blued-style hands. The case has bevelled glass panels to the front, sides, rear and top, with the top inspection window giving a clear view of the jewelled Swiss platform escapement. A decorative folding handle completes the classic carriage clock form.

The Maker

Matthew Norman is a name steeped in the romance of horology. Legend has it that Napoleon himself, exasperated by officers arriving late to the field, made the carriage clock compulsory kit for his army — and it was this very demand that sent travel clocks into their 19th-century golden age. Matthew Norman has carried that tradition ever since, marrying elegant, portable design with genuine mechanical substance.

Behind the classic "London" name on the dial sits proper Swiss watchmaking pedigree: since 1979 the marque has been produced by Swiza S.A. in Switzerland, and it's been under their stewardship outright since 1991. That heritage shows in the piece before you — a jewelled Swiss platform escapement, a case built to be admired from every angle through five bevelled glass panels, and a level of finish that has kept Matthew Norman carriage clocks desirable more than a century after the style first captured Europe's imagination. This isn't a mass-produced mantel piece; it's a small, self-contained piece of engineering with a genuine story behind it, and a worthy centrepiece for any desk, mantel, or side table.

Restoration & Servicing — Real Added Value

A professional carriage clock service in the UK typically runs to £200–£300, before you've even bought the clock, and often comes with a lengthy wait for a specialist to fit you in. This one has already been through that entire process, by hand, in our Norwich workshop — so you're not just buying a clock, you're buying a clock that's ready to run, with the servicing cost already built in rather than bolted on afterwards.

• Movement stripped, cleaned and inspected
• Platform escapement checked and correctly set up
• Mainsprings oiled with Novostar oil
• Pivots oiled with synthetic clock oil
• Brass case cleaned and polished
• Movement tested and timekeeping checked before dispatch

Buy this clock and there's no follow-up trip to a clockmaker, no separate invoice, and no waiting weeks for a service slot — it's done, and it's ready to go straight onto your mantel or desk.

Features

• Matthew Norman London carriage clock
• Quality Swiss mechanical movement
• Jewelled platform escapement
• Time-only movement
• White dial with black Roman numerals
• Five-panel bevelled glass case, including top inspection window
• Decorative folding brass carrying handle
• Rear regulation control
• Fully serviced and tested

Condition

Presented in excellent restored condition, as shown in the photographs. The brass has a bright, warm finish with only minor marks and surface wear consistent with age and previous use. The dial remains clean and attractive, and the glass panels present well. As with all vintage mechanical clocks, small variations in timekeeping may occur following transport or changes in temperature; a simple slow/fast regulator is fitted to the rear should minor adjustment ever be required.

Delivery

The clock will receive a final pre-dispatch check before being carefully packed for safe delivery. Setup and winding guidance is included, and we're always happy to help with any questions after purchase.

What Buyers Say

• "Repeat customer, after several purchases from this seller I am continuously impressed with the restoration on his time pieces, as flawless as can be expected, fair pricing, timely delivery, would highly recommend this seller." — bel-431550, verified purchase
• "Repeat purchaser from this vendor, always a great purchase as his clocks are by far the better clocks in this category, well refurbished and fairly priced, would highly recommend." — bel-431550, verified purchase
• "Great value for the amount of work that's gone in to restoring this clock to it's glorious present state." — sue251070, verified purchase