WATCHES AND OBJECTS FROM THE HOUSE OF HATOT
Léon Hatot (1883-1953) began his jewellery business in Paris circa 1905, at the age of twenty-two. He specialised in watch case engraving establishing a workshop of twelve staff producing watches and jewellery of a high standard. In 1911 he took over Maison Bredillard in Paris as well as managing workshops in Besançon. For the next twenty-five years Maison Hatot flourished supplying jewellery and watches to renowned names such as Asprey, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vever, Mauboussin, Janesich and Lacloche amongst others.
In 1919 Hatot formed a Société Anonyme, for the purpose of researching and manufacturing electrically powered watches and clocks, subsequently to be sold under the name ATO. In 1925, at the Exposition des Arts Decoratifs, a whole series of electrical timepieces were displayed, resulting in the firm being awarded a Grand Prix, and Hatot himself becoming Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. The 'Rolls' self winding wristwatch, developed in 1929, was perhaps the most significant of Léon Hatot's mechanical inventions, and after the granting of a full patent in 1931, the design was licensed to Blancpain for production. Pre-dating the rotor system of Rolex, the Rolls was particularly suited to the narrow bracelet watches popular at the time, but the Depression of 1929 ruined any chance of its becoming a commercial success.
Throughout the 1930s, Société Hatot continued to expand into the field of industrial horology, acquiring the already famous house of Paul Garnier in 1933, and finally moving the greater part of the workshops to Paris in 1934. After the war, the firm was heavily committed to the re-building work, supplying and re-furnishing of timepieces for the French Railways (S.N.C.F.) and numerous public buildings. In the early 1950s, Société Hatot developed and patented the world's first transistorised electric timepiece, and again this was licensed to all the major manufacturers for both watches and clocks, including Ebauche S.A., Junghans, Westclox, Smith & Son, Bulova, Jaz and General Time, until the arrival of the quartz controller superseded all else.
Christie's Geneva held an important sale of fine jewels and watches from the Atelier of Léon Hatot on 10 May 1989.
An unusual and rare miniature pocket watch
Details
An unusual and rare miniature pocket watch
The circular dial measuring approximately 15.0mm. in diameter with Arabic numerals to the glazed back revealing the lever movement, circa 1930
The circular dial measuring approximately 15.0mm. in diameter with Arabic numerals to the glazed back revealing the lever movement, circa 1930