Japy Frères was one of the most prolific French clock movement manufacturers, based in Beaucourt, France. The company won numerous medals and prizes at international exhibitions throughout the 19th century. These medal dates are stamped on their movements and can be used to help date a clock.
When a medal stamp appears on a Japy Frères movement, it does not mean that the clock was necessarily made in that year. It means that Japy Frères won an award in that year, allowing them to display the award on their movements until the time another award might be won at a future exposition. For example, a movement stamped with the 1855 Paris Exposition medal could have been made any time between 1855 and 1867 (when the next major award was won).
Medal and Prize Dates
| Awarded By | Medal / Prize |
|---|---|
| Louis XVII | 1819 — Gold Medal |
| Louis XVIII | 1823 — Gold Medal |
| Charles X | 1827 — Gold Medal |
| Louis Philippe | 1834 — Gold Medal |
| Louis Philippe | 1839 — Gold Medal |
| Louis Philippe | 1844 — Gold Medal |
| Louis Philippe | 1849 — Gold Medal |
| Great Exhibition, London | 1851 — Grand Medal |
| New York Exhibition | 1853 — 1st Class Medal |
| Expo Universelle Paris | 1855 — Grand Medal of Honour |
| Expo Universelle Paris | 1867 — Grand Medal of Honour |
| Expo Universelle Vienna | 1873 — Grand Diploma of Merit |
| Expo Universelle Paris | 1879 — Grand Prix d’Honneur |
| Expo Regionale Besancon | 1879 — Grand Diplome d’Honneur |
| Expo speciale d’horlogerie | 1879 — Grand Diplome d’Honneur |
| de la Chaux-de-Fond | 1880 — Grand Diplome d’Honneur |
How to Use These Dates
To date a clock using the Japy Frères medal stamps, find the latest medal stamp visible on the movement back plate. The clock was made sometime after that award date and before the next award date shown in the table. For example:
- A movement stamped “Médaille 1855” was likely made between 1855 and 1867
- A movement stamped “Médaille 1867” was likely made between 1867 and 1873
- A movement stamped “Grd Prix 1879” was likely made between 1879 and approximately 1900