A Rare French Brass Industrial Torpedo Timepiece with Automaton

circa 1900, torpedo form brass case centering a silvered dial with Arabic numeral chapters, eight day brass drum movement stamped "61" with a lever escapement platform, the rear winding mechanism operating the propellor automaton, suspended on chains via two vertical hoist arms with pulleys, and set upon on stepped onyx base mounted with nautical anchor, ship's wheel compass, and lifebuoy, raised on turned brass feet.
Torpedo 18 in. length; stand 14 1/2 x 12 3/4 x 7 in.
For similar examples:

Christie's July 4th, 2007 Auction 7410, Lot 73 Important Clocks and Marine Chronometers Including a Fine Collection of Industrial, Automata and Astronomical Clocks.

Wooley & Wallis August 11th, 2020, Lot 459 Furniture, Works of Art & Clocks.

The design of this clock is thought to be based on the Whitehead torpedo, the world's first self-propelled torpedo. Unveiled in 1866, Robert Whitehead (1823-1905) worked with Giovanni Luppis to produce a self-propelled torpedo.

Literature: Derek Roberts, Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks, Schiffer, 1999, p.256, fig.22-6.

Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

Propellor automaton operating at time of review; spotting and surface wear to brass; clock dial and compass dial with rubbing and spotting; movement missing bell chime, and chime arm with soldered repair; torpedo tip with dent; suspension chains with area of wear and holes from remounting; base lacking one rear foot and one screw to underside; looseness hoist arms. Please see Terms and Conditions of Sale: Clocks and Watches.