Clock with Globe, “Cosmographique” No. 10

This exceptional piece exhibits the interests in science and mechanics in the late 19th century. It is an extraordinary combination of precision clock complications and visible works, with a skeletonized dial and an impressive globe. The globe mechanism is the Mouret system, patented in 1865, after 22 years of development. The globe shows warm and cold currents and other geographical features. The visible eight-day movement drives the mechanism that rotates the globe every 24 hours, indicating the day of the month on a horizontal glass annual calendar ring. The sun indicator shows wherever it is noon. The clock indicates the equation of time and provides a clear delineation between night and day.

The Mouret system was licensed to several different firms in a variety of stands and mounts. Maison Delamarche was established in Paris in the 18th century by Charles Francois Delamarche (1740-1817.) The firm continued to make globes into the 20th century.