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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Industrial automaton mantel clock

French brass and silvered torpedo industrial timepiece with automaton

Partially verified

This French novelty industrial timepiece is styled as a suspended torpedo above naval motifs, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. The source reports an eight-day brass drum movement with a lever escapement stamped '4624' and '93', which drives an automaton propeller. The torpedo body displays a silvered circular dial with Roman numerals and pierced hands, hung from twin davits by chain tackles and mesh slings. Its stepped rosso antico marble base is fitted with turned brass feet and decorated with nautical accoutrements including an anchor, artillery shell, life buoy, and a central capstan-form compass signed 'Radiguet Paris'.

French torpedo industrial automaton timepiece on rosso antico marble base, late 19th or early 20th century
French torpedo industrial automaton timepiece on rosso antico marble base, late 19th or early 20th century — Woolley and Wallis. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Category
Clock · Industrial automaton mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Radiguet Paris
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
459
Source-reported date
late 19th / early 20th century
Country
France
Source-reported serial
4624

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Design

The timepiece features a torpedo-shaped case suspended from chains and pulleys. The assembly is supported by a stepped rosso antico marble base featuring turned brass feet.

The decorative base includes nautical-themed elements, specifically an anchor, a life buoy, an artillery shell, and a ship's wheel. A compass is inset into the center and bears the signature 'Radiguet Paris'.

Evidence for this section
  • “the case in the form of a torpedo hung on chains with pullies”
  • “the base with nautical themed decoration, an anchor, a life buoy, a shell and a ship's wheel”
  • “the centre inset with a compass, signed 'Radiguet Paris'”
  • “on a stepped rosso antico marble base and turned brass feet”

Dial and Movement

The torpedo-form case incorporates a silvered dial featuring Roman numerals and pierced hands. The clock is powered by an eight-day brass drum movement with a lever escapement.

The source documents that the movement is stamped '4624' and '93'. The stern of the torpedo includes an automaton propeller.

Evidence for this section
  • “with an automaton propeller”
  • “the eight day brass drum movement with a lever escapement, stamped '4624' and '93'”
  • “the silvered dial with Roman numerals and pierced hands”

Attribution and Dating

The piece is dated to the late 19th or early 20th century. The source notes that this model was likely based on the Whitehead torpedo.

A similar example is documented in the literature: Derek Roberts, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks, p.256, fig.22-6.

Evidence for this section
  • “LATE 19TH / EARLY 20TH CENTURY”
  • “This model was probably based on the Whitehead torpedo”
  • “Derek Roberts, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks, p.256, fig.22-6”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the stamps '4624' and '93' in the context of Radiguet production?
  • Are there other documented horological works signed by Radiguet Paris that utilize the same industrial torpedo motif?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French brass and silvered torpedo industrial timepiece with automaton
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MovementEight-day brass drum movement with lever escapement“the eight day brass drum movement with a lever escapement”
Movement StampsStamped 4624 and 93“stamped '4624' and '93'”
SignatureSigned Radiguet Paris“signed 'Radiguet Paris'”
Base MaterialStepped rosso antico marble base and turned brass feet“on a stepped rosso antico marble base and turned brass feet”
Dimensions36.2 cm high by 46.2 cm wide“36.2cm high, 46.2cm wide”
Dimensions36.2 cm high, 46.2 cm wide“36.2cm high, 46.2cm wide”

Visible details

  • Torpedo-shaped silvered body suspended horizontally by two chain-and-pulley tackles with woven metal slings.
  • Twin curved silvered and brass davits support the suspended torpedo.
  • Circular silvered dial mounted on the torpedo flank with black Roman numerals and pierced hands.
  • Automaton propeller and rudder assembly mounted at the stern of the torpedo.
  • Stepped reddish-brown marble plinth supports turned brass feet and miniature naval objects: an anchor, a capstan with compass and spoke handles, an artillery projectile, and a bound life ring.

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber details, lever escapement, automaton mechanism, and internal stamps ('4624', '93') are not visible in the provided exterior photograph.
  • The maker attribution to Radiguet Paris is derived from a signature on the plinth-mounted compass rather than on the clock dial or movement.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

A rare french brass and silvered torpedo industrial timepiece with automaton late 19th / early... | Woolley and Wallis

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 54e0610afb

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.