Carlton Clocks

Description

An iconic French Art Deco electro-mechanical mantel clock dated circa 1930-35, by Léon Hatot.

The "ATO Electrique" is styled in a rectangular glass plate mounted in a Bakelite and chromium-plated slim stand, only 10 cms deep in all (4 inches), making the clock perfect for even the narrowest of mantelpieces or shelves.

The plate glass face is etched with vertical stripes, the metal dial chapter with a striped border and silver-outlined black Arabic numerals, signed with the ATO trademark below the 12. A skeletonised centre allows the movement of the pendulum to be seen.

The electric movement no. 79 920 is powered by a standard 1.5V battery. The pendulum is a chromium-plated cased coil which oscillates from side to side along the arc of a curved magnet. This magnetic bar passes through a fixed solenoid. At the appropriate moment, an electric switch closes, energising the electromagnet and producing a magnetic field that repels the magnet. This push is the impulse that drives the clock.

The movement is cased within a metal cylinder, with a push-on round back cover.

M. Leon Hatot devised this electromagnetic mechanism in c.1919 in association with Marius Lavet, a talented engineer who had already been a leading participator in the development of the Bulle clock. Indeed the principles of his ATO clock are broadly similar to that of M. Favre Bulle’s and the two French companies were direct competitors for several decades, differentiating their clocks with very many different styles of cases.

Length: 54 cms
Depth: 10 cms
Height: 22 cms

The clock is in super original condition. The movement is overhauled and guaranteed for 3 years.
We are proud to be one of the UK’s finest suppliers of high quality Antique Clocks. We are based in Somerset, but also serve the rest of the UK. We are also delighted to have a number of overseas customers.

The workshops have recently relocated to Somerset and we continue to stock a large range of antique clocks and new clocks at very competitive prices.

We are proud to be members of LAPADA, the Association of Art and Antique Dealers.
Carlton Clocks is also a business partner of the British Horological Institute.

Ian has years of experience in restoring and maintaining clocks. He has a particular interest in early electric clocks. You will see from our Electric Clocks catalogue that we also manufacture and supply a small range of parts for Bulle, Eureka and Brillie electric clocks.

The mix of other clocks for sale is limited only by what Ian finds interesting and/or beautiful, aesthetically or mechanically.