Bulle Clock No. 206330 with Floral Elme Glass Dome, c. 1934–1935

With this Bulle Clock, time is not simply displayed. You can watch the clock at work.

The large opening at the centre of the dial reveals the delicate mechanism behind it. While the clock is running, individual parts of the movement can be seen in motion, with the pendulum swinging steadily below.

The clock is protected by an exceptional floral glass dome made by Elme Glasbruk. Large frosted flowers, leaves and flowing plant motifs extend across the glass, partially obscuring the pendulum without concealing its movement. As the clock runs, the pendulum moves behind the floral decoration while the working mechanism remains visible through the central opening in the dial.

Its appearance changes with the viewing angle and the light. At times the frosted flowers become more prominent; from another angle, the brass, pendulum and movement behind them come to the fore.

A Bulle Clock from the Art Deco Era

Serial number 206330 is stamped on the movement plate. According to our Bulle Clock serial number dating table, the clock can be dated to approximately 1934–1935. This represents an estimated production period rather than a documented exact year of manufacture.

By the 1930s, electricity was becoming an increasingly familiar part of everyday life. Clockmakers and engineers were also developing new ways of combining electrical power with traditional mechanical timekeeping. The Bulle Clock is a particularly fascinating example of this development.

Its design also reflects the period. The clear lines of the open construction, polished brass and dark curved base meet the pronounced floral decoration of the glass dome. Technical modernity and decorative design exist side by side – a combination very much at home in the world of Art Deco.

The clock was manufactured by Bulle-Clock SARL / Compagnie Générale des Appareils Horo-Électriques, France. The dial is marked “BULLE PATENT”. The Bulle system was developed by Maurice Philippe Favre-Bulle and forms part of the early development of electrically powered pendulum clocks.

The Elme Glass Dome

The glass dome on this example is much more than a protective cover. Its floral decoration is a defining part of the clock's appearance.

Large frosted flowers dominate the design, accompanied by leaves and flowing plant forms across the glass. Part of the decoration lies directly in front of the pendulum. Even so, its steady movement remains visible while the clock is running: as the pendulum swings behind the floral motifs, it appears more or less clearly depending on its position.

At the same time, the delicate mechanism above the pendulum remains visible through the large central opening in the dial. The decorated glass and exposed technology therefore form two visual layers that continually change while the clock is running.

The dome has been identified as an Elme Glasbruk glass dome by comparison with identical examples retaining their original Elme manufacturer labels. The label itself is no longer present on this particular dome.

Around the base of the glass dome is an original blue textile trim belonging to the clock. It has been preserved and, as its colour had faded considerably over the decades, was re-dyed using textile dye.

The Bulle System

In a conventional mechanical pendulum clock, the energy required to keep the clock running is supplied by a wound spring or a weight. In a Bulle Clock, electrical power performs this task, while the pendulum remains the determining element in timekeeping.

At the lower end of the pendulum is the characteristic coil. The curved permanent magnet passes through its centre. At the appropriate moment, a contact operated by the pendulum closes the electrical circuit, producing the electromagnetic impulse that keeps the pendulum moving.

At the same time, the movement of the pendulum is mechanically transmitted to the hands. Electrical drive and traditional mechanics therefore work directly together. The rate can be adjusted using the regulating nut beneath the coil.

Much of this is deliberately visible. Part of the working mechanism can be observed through the opening in the dial, while the pendulum and its coil swing below.

Today, a quick glance at a smartphone is enough to know the time. With this Bulle Clock, it is worth looking a little longer. The pendulum swings, contacts and mechanism work visibly, and their interaction can be observed through the opening in the dial. More than ninety years after it was made, this remarkable technology is still doing exactly what it was created to do: it shows us the time.

The clock is designed solely for displaying the time and has no striking or chiming mechanism.

In Our Workshop

The movement was completely dismantled, cleaned, properly lubricated, reassembled and carefully adjusted. The pendulum suspension, electrical wiring, contact spring, isochronism spring and coil were renewed.

The original permanent magnet has been retained. Two black neodymium magnets have been permanently added to support its magnetic strength. They remain with the clock and form part of its present technical configuration. This later modification from the original construction is deliberately disclosed.

The base was thoroughly cleaned and polished but has not been repainted. A matt area in the existing finish has been preserved. The original textile trim was re-dyed. The glass dome is undamaged.

The clock has been undergoing long-term testing since September 2025. It has been adjusted and, based on our observations to date, runs reliably and accurately. We have not recorded a quantified daily rate deviation. This therefore describes its performance during our testing rather than constituting a guarantee of permanent timekeeping accuracy.

Power Supply and Operation

The historic movement operates at 1.5 V. A permanently installed voltage converter supplies the movement with the required voltage.

The supplied battery holder takes three AAA batteries, providing a total input voltage of 4.5 V. It connects to the voltage converter via USB-A.

Alternatively, a standard USB-A power adapter can be used instead of the battery holder. In this configuration, the permanently installed voltage converter likewise supplies the historic movement with the required 1.5 V.

Batteries and USB power adapter are not included.

Written instructions for setting up and operating the clock are included. For reliable operation, the clock requires a firm, reasonably level position away from vibration and significant temperature fluctuations.

In an Interior

At 38 centimetres high, the clock has presence without appearing heavy. There is considerable open space between the base, pendulum, movement and dial, while the glass dome encloses the construction without visually hiding it.

It is particularly attractive where some light can pass through the glass dome. The frosted flowers change with the viewing angle, while the brass and dial appear behind them and the pendulum introduces a calm, steady movement.

This Bulle Clock does not require a completely period interior. On a simple sideboard, cabinet or console, the contrast between more than ninety-year-old visible technology and a restrained contemporary setting can be particularly effective. Giving the clock some space allows both the unusual Elme glass dome and the open construction to be appreciated.

At a Glance

Manufacturer: Bulle-Clock SARL / Compagnie Générale des Appareils Horo-Électriques, France
Serial number: 206330, documented on the movement plate
Date: c. 1934–1935, estimated using the AntiguoShop serial-number dating table
Style: Art Deco
Type: Table or mantel clock under a decorated glass dome
Glass dome: Elme Glasbruk, frosted floral decoration; identified by comparison with identical domes retaining their original Elme manufacturer labels; no label remains on this example
Movement: Electromagnetic pendulum drive with mechanical hand mechanism
Function: Time display only, without strike or chime
Movement operating voltage: 1.5 V
Voltage converter: Permanently installed
Power supply: Three AAA batteries in the supplied battery holder or, alternatively, a standard USB-A power adapter
Height including glass dome: 38 cm / 14 in
Width: 25 cm / 9.8 in
Depth: 20 cm / 7.9 in
Weight including glass dome: 3.8 kg / 8.3 lbs
Materials: Brass, glass, lacquered wooden base and textile trim
Long-term testing: Since September 2025
Timekeeping: Adjusted; reliable and accurate based on our observations to date, without a quantified daily rate deviation
Included: Clock with Elme glass dome, permanently installed voltage converter, battery holder for three AAA batteries and written setup and operating instructions
Not included: Batteries and USB power adapter

Condition

This is a historic clock with age-related signs of use and surface wear, as well as renewed functional components.

The base has been cleaned and polished but not repainted. A matt area remains visible in the existing finish. The original textile trim has been re-dyed. The Elme glass dome is undamaged.

The movement was completely dismantled, cleaned, lubricated, reassembled and adjusted. The pendulum suspension, electrical wiring, contact spring, isochronism spring and coil were renewed. The original permanent magnet has been retained; two additional neodymium magnets remain permanently fitted to the clock.

The clock is therefore not entirely in its original as-delivered condition. The work carried out, the magnetic support and the modern power supply form part of its present condition.

The photographs show the actual condition of the clock offered and form part of the description.

Our Philosophy

We are Lenka and Thomas, and we love old clocks. Not only for their technology, but for the stories they tell. Every clock that leaves our workshop has been restored by us with patience, craftsmanship and great respect for its history.

At AntiguoShop, we believe that extraordinary objects deserve a second chance. That is why we give historic clocks another life – so that they can continue to fascinate people and enrich a home for many years to come.