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Antique circa-1920s EBEL Swiss 8-Day Mechanical Travel / Desk Clock
John J. Kingsley – Boston, Massachusetts
French-Made Folding Travel Case
For Parts / Repair / Restoration
Offered here is an unusual early EBEL Swiss 8-day mechanical travel clock, retailed by John J. Kingsley of Boston, Massachusetts, and housed in its French made period folding travel case.
The dial is signed:
JOHN J. KINGSLEY
BOSTON MASS
and is additionally marked:
8 DAYS
SWISS MADE
The exposed movement is signed EBEL / SWISS.
The folding case interior is marked “Made in France.”
Based on the construction, dial style, 8-day movement and comparison with documented Ebel travel clocks from the period, this example appears to date to approximately the 1920s. A closely comparable Ebel 8-day travel/desk clock has been cataloged by Wannenes as Swiss, circa 1920, with a leather-covered case and Ebel-signed 8-day movement.
This is also an appealing retailer-signed example. John J. Kingsley was a Boston jeweler/watch retailer, making the signed dial more interesting than an anonymous Swiss travel clock.
The clock has a distinctive pale green/blue center field surrounded by a gilt-tone chapter ring with stylized Arabic numerals. It retains its decorative period hands and fluted winding crown.
The dial shows expected age-related spotting, surface marks and patina. The gilt-tone chapter ring and bezel show oxidation, discoloration and wear.
The movement is a Swiss 8-day mechanical movement signed EBEL.
Important: the clock is presently incomplete/disassembled and is NOT being represented as running.
Several loose movement components are included in a plastic bag, as shown in the photographs. I have not inventoried the movement and cannot confirm whether every original component is present.
Because of this, the clock is being sold strictly:
FOR PARTS / REPAIR / RESTORATION
No guarantee is made regarding completeness, functionality, accuracy, repairability or originality of every component.
The clock is mounted in a folding black travel case with a blue/green fabric interior.
The case interior is marked:
Made in France
The case has substantial honest age and use wear, including:
edge and corner wear
losses and deterioration to the exterior covering
scuffs and abrasions
interior staining and discoloration
fabric wear
deterioration around the hinges and edges
general age-related surface wear
Despite the condition, the case remains an important part of the piece and gives the clock excellent period presentation.
Ebel produced compact mechanical travel and desk clocks during this era in addition to wristwatches and purse watches. A documented Wannenes example from circa 1920 uses an Ebel-signed 8-day movement in a leather-covered folding case very similar in concept to this piece.
Other period Ebel objects from around 1920–1930 are also documented in major-market and sale sources, supporting this general dating.
Sold exactly as pictured.
Please study all photographs closely, particularly the movement and loose components. The photographs form an important part of the description.
This is best suited to an Ebel collector, horology collector, clock restorer, parts specialist, or collector of Boston retailer-signed watches and clocks.
No guarantee of operation or completeness. Sold AS-IS for parts, repair or restoration.
Brand: EBEL
Type: Travel Clock
Style: Art Deco / Antique
Movement: Mechanical
Power Source: Mechanical / Manual Wind
Features: 8-Day
Display Type: Analog
Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
Era: 1920s
Material: Mixed Materials
Color: Black / Green / Gold Tone
Room: Any Room
Character: N/A
Theme: Antique / Travel
Model: 8-Day Travel Clock
Retailer: John J. Kingsley, Boston Mass.
Case Origin: France
Condition: For Parts or Not Working
