ATO Post Your Léon Hatot ATO Clocks Here

[Jmeechie]

Hi all,
I am researching and building a database on ATO and the companies that licensed from Leon Hatot (excluding Junghans, Kinnenger & Ogberfel, Kundo, Seth Thomas, Elgin and such) and am looking for any and all information, on any clocks you have or know of. Particular information I'm looking for is:
Serial number:
Number of coils:
Style of clock:
Any important details:
Style of contacts:
And if it's produced by another manufacturer and not marked "Leon Hatot Fabricants, Paris France" please let me know.
Picture(s) are always very helpful.
Any and all information is greatly appreciated and will certainly aid in building this database.
Cheers,
James

 

[kidcobra]

Hello. I am trying to track down information on Hatot's clock that was commissioned by the boat owner CGT for the Normandie Ocean Liner and found this forum while searching the web. Any help or direction would be appreciated.

1. I am looking to find out what Hatot's actual commission was for the Normandie. Basically there have been 2 different "Normandie" clocks that have appeared. One replaces many of the numerals on the clock face with NORMANDIE spelled out. That clock also has the boat owner CGT's full name molded on the back of the glass clock case along with ATO Made In France. The 2nd clock has the NORMANDIE letters replaced with numerals on the front, and has the CGT full name removed from the back of the clock case so it is only molded ATO Made In France in the glass and there is no mention of Normandie or the boat owner. I am trying to find out if both versions are CGT commissions, or if it's just the one that has the Normandie and CGT markings.

2. In a post here for by sophiebear0_0 dated June 3, 2022, there are 2 clocks pictured together in one photo in the 2nd row of photos at the end of the row. Is it known what the design or production date is those clock cases? Those cases are quite similar to the disk portion of the Normandie clock.

3. Is it known what glassmakers Hatot obtained glass cases from? And/or did he have the manufacturing ability to make glass cases himself? And either way are there records showing what cases he produced and/or obtained elsewhwere and from who?

Thanks again, if anyone can be point me in the right direction or provide info, it would be great appreciated.

 

[sophiebear0_0]

Bonhams : A fine and rare 'SS Normandie' glass clock, French, 1935,

Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars

www.bonhams.com

The ATO Normandie clocks are stunning. They are pretty rare and tend to command very high prices. I have attached a link to an auction sale that provides a brief description. These clocks had mechanical movements, rather than the more common electromechanical movements that ATO were renowned for.

The clocks shown in my post dated June 3rd 2022 are electromechanical. The dial diameter is around 18 cm, which I think is slightly larger than the Normandie clock. I think these clocks will date from 1925-30.

Lalique did make some of the glass housings for ATO. One such example is the Moineau (sparrow). You often see the example in my post on the 3rd row at the left attributed to Lalique. However there are no maker's marks on the glass. I don't know whether Lalique make the Normandie version ?

Best regards,

Peter

 

[kidcobra]

Bonhams : A fine and rare 'SS Normandie' glass clock, French, 1935,

Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars

www.bonhams.com

The ATO Normandie clocks are stunning. They are pretty rare and tend to command very high prices. I have attached a link to an auction sale that provides a brief description. These clocks had mechanical movements, rather than the more common electromechanical movements that ATO were renowned for.

The clocks shown in my post dated June 3rd 2022 are electromechanical. The dial diameter is around 18 cm, which I think is slightly larger than the Normandie clock. I think these clocks will date from 1925-30.

Lalique did make some of the glass housings for ATO. One such example is the Moineau (sparrow). You often see the example in my post on the 3rd row at the left attributed to Lalique. However there are no maker's marks on the glass. I don't know whether Lalique make the Normandie version ?

Best regards,

Peter

HI Peter. Thanks for replying. There are 4 known/documented clock cases that were made by Lalique for ATO. Moineaux is 1 of them, and the other 3 are linked from here: Rene Lalique Moineaux Clock: RLalique.com. The cases for ATO were used for clocks sold by ATO through their own distro network and were not available at Lalique's shop or his retailers around the world. For those 4 clock cases there are of course Lalique factory records, mold orders, molds, production dates, etc. in the René Lalique et Cie records documenting the order, design, and manufacture for ATO. Knowing basically only about Lalique and almost nothing about ATO, and only minor stuff on the Normandie, I'm trying to located the info on that CGT (boat owner) commission for Hatot to see what it included per my post. Basically, the French governement apparently subsidized the decorative arts commissions for the boat as a way to help keep their decorative arts companies alive during the depression. I assume there are both CGT (or their successor) records, and French government records, and likely ATO records as well. But all that stuff is beyond me. If you run across anything, or anyhwere to look, or know of a way to contact ATO (Swatch?) to ask them, please keep me in mind. Thanks again.

 

[sophiebear0_0]

Rene Lalique Clocks: RLalique.com

rlalique.com

Thanks for the follow-up and the further context.

I had come across your linked page. On another page of the same site it states quite clearly that Lalique were not involved with teh Normandie clock. However you do still see this apparent association frequently claimed when the Normandie clocks are put up for sale.

Thanks also for clarifying that there were only 4 ATO case designs which can be attributed to Lalique.

Good luck in your quest for more detailed information and provenance.

Regards,

Peter

 

[Jmeechie]

Greetings All,
I want to post a quick update on the database and to say thanks to everyone so far for all the information - we now have 40+ clocks in the inventory and some patterns may be starting to emerge - keep the information coming!
Just to explain, this database will aid hopefully to date, ID, and determine what ATO produced as far as movements assemblies/clocks and possibly for other clock manufacturers.

Cheers,
James

 

[Jmeechie]

Just picked up this rather rare 1/2 second transistorized 30 second master. Several things of note, it seems Hatot decided to finish the backboard with grey vinyl upholstery material for some reason. The drive coil is on the right side vs the usual left side (looking at the clock) which in this case the left coil is for the transistor switch. The entire switch is contained in the white and clear plastic case attached to the left side of the movement. The movement and mounting frame is identical to the switched movements and still have the mechanical switch holes drilled in the upper left and right of the movement plate. An odd departure on these clocks is the dials don't use Arabic numerals but rather hash marks?
The backboard is solid aluminum with the outer visible edge polished. The cover is molded plexiglass. I suspect this is an early model being produced around 1954 with a serial number of 201467 and the later transistorized models modules became more compact in comparison.
Cheers,
James

 

[Dave T]

Where do you find these clocks? (That's just a rhetorical question.) I never seem to find any for sale anywhere, are hardly ever.

 

[Jmeechie]

Hey Dave,
I’ve picked up over the years quite a few wild and unusual clocks! Honestly, I spend way too much time searching and researching and tend to sometimes trip over them! A number of clocks I have picked up are badly misidentified or in bad shape!
Cheers,
James