Design
The wide case has a gently rounded, arched top. Its front is designed as a large fan-shaped field. Narrow, light-coloured inlays radiate outward and downward from the area beneath the dial. The grained brown and golden veneers contrast clearly with the dark brown lower section of the case.
The round dial is set centrally in a light-coloured metal ring behind a domed glass cover. The pale dial has black Art Deco numerals and a fine minute track. The ATO mark and the word “Électrique” appear above the central opening in the dial, which reveals parts of the movement. Slender, dark-coloured hands complete the clear dial design. Small, light-coloured metal feet raise the case slightly. The curved shape continues along the sides. The fan marquetry, geometric lines and contrasting veneers define the clock’s Art Deco character.
Technology
Inside is an electromechanical ATO pendulum movement powered by a battery. A permanent magnet attached to the pendulum moves through a coil mounted on the movement frame. The pendulum contact briefly closes the circuit and delivers an electrical impulse with each swing, keeping the pendulum in motion. In versions with a hand train, a pawl and ratchet wheel transfer the pendulum’s movement to the gear train. In master clocks, additional switching contacts send electrical impulses to connected slave clocks, keeping them synchronized with the master. This clock has no striking mechanism.
The movement plate is stamped “Société Anonyme des Établissements Léon Hatot – Fabricants – Paris, France” and bears serial number 43034.
Story
The movement stamp identifies the clock as the work of Société Anonyme des Établissements Léon Hatot in Paris. Léon Hatot (1883–1953) was a French watchmaker and jeweller. After training in Besançon, he opened a workshop there in 1905 producing precious-metal watch cases. From 1923, his company made electric ATO pendulettes in collaboration with engineer Marius Lavet. In 1925, Hatot received the Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition internationale des Arts décoratifs et industriels modernes for a collection of electric clocks in the Art Deco style.
The final image shows an ATO catalogue page from 1929. It advertises electric pendulum clocks and depicts a table clock with a similar design. The bottom of the page gives the name and Paris business address of Société Anonyme des Établissements Léon Hatot.
Manufacturer
Léon Hatot
Besançon
· Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
· Frankreich
Léon Hatot (1883–1953) war ein französischer Uhrmacher und Juwelier. Nach seiner Ausbildung an der Uhrmacherschule und der Kunsthochschule in Besançon eröffnete er dort 1905 eine Werkstatt für Uhrengehäuse aus Edelmetallen. 1911 übernahm er in Paris das Unternehmen Bredillard. Ab 1923 fertigte er gemeinsam mit dem Ingenieur Marius Lavet elektrische ATO-Penduletten. Für seine Kollektion elektrischer Uhren im Art-déco-Stil erhielt Hatot 1925 auf der Exposition internationale des Arts décoratifs et industriels modernes in Paris den Grand Prix. 1933 übernahm er den Pariser Uhrmacherbetrieb Jean-Paul Garnier.
