Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Royale from 1980, Table Clock that LIVES ON AIR
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Royale Ref. 5855
Switzerland
Gold-plated and lacquered brass
Year of manufacture 1980
Dimensions: H x W x D: 28 x 22 x 16 cm
Description:
Atmos Royale Ref...
Category
1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
Jaeger LeCoultre, Desk Clock, Atmos Prestige, Limited Edition, 1980s
Located in Greven, DE
Atmos Clock - "Prestige" by Jaeger LeCoultre with original box
Switzerland
Gold-plated brass
1980s
Dimensions: H x W x D: 27 x 17 x 16 cm
Description:
The Atmos Prestige from Jaeg...
Category
1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
Modernist Lucite & Brass Table Alarm Clock by Bulova
Located in Bradenton, FL
A modernist Model 2RA007 table alarm clock made by Bulova in Japan. A transparent Lucite body holds the blue clock face and wind-up mechanism and is set in...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos Fontainebleu, Swiss Made in 1986
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Fontainebleu
Switzerland
Year of construction 1986
Dimensions: H x W x D: 25 x 20 x 16 cm
Description:
Atmos calibre 540 in the rare "Fontainebleu" version in a wooden case.
Square ring dial with rounded corners. Roman numerals for hours, fine minute track, Breguet hands with counterweights.
"SWISS MADE" is printed below the 6. A manufacturer's engraving and the calibre number can be found on the front movement plate. A "Jaeger LeCoultre" imprint can be seen at the bottom right of the front disc.
The Atmos Fontainebleu was listed in the collection from 1987. It was available in various versions - with a square or round dial, with a moon phase, with a black lacquered or mahogany case.
Although the clock offered here dates from 1986, it was only listed in the 1987 and 1988 catalogues.
Ref. 220.030.4
Serial number: 620514
Year of manufacture: 1986.
Condition:
Freshly overhauled, very good condition of the movement. Flawless case condition.
Interesting facts:
Generations of inventors have endeavoured to construct a perpetual motion machine - and one after the other was disappointed to discover that their designs did not work. Today we know that it is technically impossible to build a machine that works continuously without consuming energy. Apart from wear and tear, a machine only works as long as it is supplied with energy: Electricity, gas, petrol...
Without human intervention and practically without wear and tear, the Atmos does not run without energy consumption, but it is fed by an energy source that can be described as "eternal": It draws its energy from the constant fluctuations in air temperature. The Atmos literally lives from the air.
In order to utilise the temperature fluctuations as an energy source, a suitable medium had to be found. The choice fell on ethyl chloride (C2H5Cl) - a substance that dentists know as an anaesthetic. Ethyl chloride has a very high coefficient of thermal expansion between 10 and 27°C, i.e. the volume change is particularly large in this temperature range.
The round can...
Category
1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Wood
Baccarat Crystal Hypnos Pendulette Table Clock, France
By Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stunning 20th Century "Hypnos" table clock by France's renowned Baccarat company has quartz movement, a glass case, a white dial, and black Arabic numerals. The clock has a few ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Quartz
Jaeger-LeCoultre Clock – Mid-20th Century – With Original Box and Papers
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant table clock by Jaeger-LeCoultre, dating from the mid-20th century, comes with its original brown leather box lined with yellow felt, as well as its papers and international w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany & Co. Modern Cast Bronze 'Rockwork' Table Clock, Swiss Jeweled Movement
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tiffany & Co. Modern cast bronze 'rockwork' table clock, Swiss jeweled movement.
Switzerland, Circa 1960s
A stunning example of 1960s Tiffany &...
Category
20th Century Swiss Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
French Table Clock With Marble Base and Figure
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
French table clock with marble base and figure.
French table clock, with a greenish marble base, topped by a lady's figure. The marble base is supported by four bronze feet decorated...
Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Surrealistic Sculptural Clock by Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
An iconic carved sculptural clock by the famed Mexican surrealistic artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, b. 1937) circa 1960s. The whimsical...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Wood
Gorgeous Vintage Paris Made Cartier Desk Clock * FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Charming and finely made vintage desk clock by the iconic Cartier. Made in Paris, France this beautiful example is presented in superb vintage condition and come with the original po...
Category
1990s French Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Nomon Omega Table Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Reinventing with its structures Nomon brings you a clock from the desktop collection with an innovative and elegant design.
The Omega I Clock impresses by keeping a clock suspended in the air while losing its depth by removing unnecessary items and making it simple and glamorous. A fashion clock that will give your home office or business the sophistication you were looking for.
The latest trend in office decoration pieces and elegant spaces is here with the desktop clock...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Steel, Chrome
$1,276 / item
Vintage "Anemone" Crystal Table Clock by Daum, France
By Daum
Located in Morristown, NJ
An attractive vintage 20th c., crystal table clock signed "Daum - France" on the crystal. The quartz clock mechanism also has a stylized Daum signature located below 12 o'clock. At 10' square, the clock has a strong visual presence.
History And Meaning Of Anemones:
It was believed that the flower sprang from the blood of the slain Adonis, who was a lover of the goddess Aphrodite. As such, anemones were often seen as a symbol of love and passion. In Victorian England, anemones were given as gifts to express love and anticipation.
Founded in 1878, Daum Nancy crystal is still recognized for its manufacturing expertise. It owes its fame to master glassmaker Antonin Daum.
Dimensions:
10"h x 10"w x 2.25"d
Condition:
Good, oxidation to metal ring surrounding dial, no visible chips, cracks, or repairs. Clock has not been tested.
Provenance:
The Collection of Olga & Arthur Rankin, NYC. Arthur Rankin was a visionary who wore many hats as a producer, director, screenwriter and animator. He is best known for pioneering the art of “Animagic” — or stop-action animation.
His legacy is etched in the hearts of millions, especially during the holiday season. Rankin/Bass Productions gave us timeless treasures like “Rudolph the...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Crystal
Established & Sons Small Font Clock by Sebastian Wrong
Located in London, GB
The iconic calendar clock, with its distinctive form and flip mechanism, has an established following in design circles. Sebastian Wrong deliberately increases our attraction to its retro look by introducing an ever-changing display. The Font Clock...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Plastic
Church-Shaped Decorative Clock
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Decorative clock in the shape of a church. It represents a picturesque miniature church, richly detailed to evoke traditional European architecture....
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Resin
ATO Electric Table Clock, 1940s
By Léon Hatot
Located in Paris, FR
ATO is a prestigious watchmaking brand founded by Léon Hatot (1883–1953).
He studied at the National School of Watchmaking in Besançon from 1895 to 1898. Between 1918 and 1919, a fac...
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Plexiglass Table Clock, 1970s Design.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Plexiglass table clock, 1970s design.
1970s table clock, contemporary design, plexiglass.
H: 35cm. W: 25cm, D: 13cm
Category
20th Century French Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Plexiglass
Heuer Racing Clock in New Old Stock Condition
By TAG Heuer
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: TAG Heuer Watch Company
STYLE / REFERENCE: Car Rally Clock
METAL / MATERIAL: Chrome
CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's
DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 2 Inch X 2 Inch
MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Heuer
DIAL / HANDS: Original Dial and Hands
WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement
I bought this clock many years ago and it was New, Old Stock at the time. In fact somewhere I should have the original box for it. But, do not hold me to it as I have no idea where it actually is.
The Heuer Racing Clock...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Chrome
Chopard Christmas Tree Metal Ornaments Set of 3
By Chopard
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Set of three Christmas ornaments by Chopard. Traditional handmade in Italy with an inner rotating frame.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Metal
1980s Seiko Quartz Skeleton Desk Clock in Brass
By Seiko
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s Modern Seiko Skeleton Quartz Desk Clock in Brass
9 h x 7 w x 1.75 d
Preowned unrestored vintage condition
Tested and working
See images provided"
Preowned unrestored vintage co...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
Marble One Cut Table Clock, Moreno Ratti
By Moreno Ratti
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble One Cut table clock - Moreno Ratti
Dimensions: D 9 x W 20 x H 20 cm
Materials: Calcata Oro marble.
The idea of this collection comes from the desire to take the concept of minimalism to the extreme, as in the Recisi series: a single cut of a geometric figure (the square) allows the creation of a functional object where the two pieces that compose it, respond to a need.
The family consists of: a table lamp (Moon Lamp) with a touch-sensitive ignition system, a clock and a solifleur.
Moreno Ratti
"When I was young I played with pieces of marble, like now.
There are a lot of marble waste...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Marble
$645 / item
Nomon Atomo Table Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Átomo clocks, whose design reflects creativity with a great sense of refinement, dress the corners of tables and provide light and style.
ø10cm clock with natural walnut wood body...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
$264 / item
1970s Ritz Italora Original Table Clock by Joe Colombo Optic Art
By Joe Colombo
Located in Biella, IT
Ritz Italora rare original table clock first edit by Joe Colombo design years 1970 optic art.
Materialis plastic and metal particular and mecanism.
...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Plastic
20th Century Gübelin Wecker Tischuhr Bronze Vergoldet 8 Tagewerk Datum
By Guebelin ( Gübelin )
Located in Epfach, DE
Gübelin Wecker oder Tischuhr von Gübelin Schweiz um 1960-1970
Bronze vergoldet in quadratischer Form mit erhabenen Vierecken in Matt -und Glanzvergoldung
Der Wecker oder die Tischuhr...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Gold, Bronze
$1,220 Sale Price
20% Off
Established & Sons Large Font Clock by Sebastian Wrong
Located in London, GB
The iconic calendar clock, with its distinctive form and flip mechanism, has an established following in design circles. Sebastian Wrong deliberately increases our attraction to its retro look by introducing an ever-changing display. The font clock...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Plastic
21st Century by D.Palterer Marble and Metal Clock in Nero Marquina White Carrara
Located in massa, IT
Marble clock designed by Arch. David Palterer.
Size: cm. 9 x 5 x 25 H.
Materials: Bianco Carrara - Nero Maequina
Designed by: David Palterer.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Marble
Nomon Puntero Table Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A magnificent and avant-garde design for a desktop clock. This design has the perfect combination between chromed steel and lacquered walnut wood giving ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Steel, Chrome
$924 / item
Nomon Nena & Nene Table Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nomon’s symbolic characters are born, characteristic for combining the brand’s distinctive materials, American walnut, or ash in oak finish, with metallic details.
Nomon produces ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Walnut, Oak
Baccarat Crystal Desk Clock, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Baccarat crystal desk clock, 20th Century.
Late 20th century Baccarat crystal desk clock, working, good condition, quartz movement.
H: 20cm , D: 11,5cm
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Quartz
Nomon Mini Puntero Table Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Átomo clocks, whose design reflects creativity with a great sense of refinement, dress the corners of tables and provide light and style.
ø10cm clock with natural walnut wood body...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
Established & Sons Medium Font Clock by Sebastian Wrong
Located in London, GB
The iconic calendar clock, with its distinctive form and flip mechanism, has an established following in design circles. Sebastian Wrong deliberately increases our attraction to its retro look by introducing an ever-changing display. The Font Clock...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Plastic
Blue Hour Table Clock Signed by Adam Ruiz & Cyril Fuchs
By Adam Ruiz
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue hour table clock signed by Adam Ruiz & Cyril Fuchs
Dimensions: 50 x 27 x 4 cm
Materials: Sculpted steel
Handscultped, signed
The blue hour is a steel clock weathered with ...
Category
2010s French Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Copper
21st Century by Elda Lippi "OROLOGIO 6" Marble Clock
Located in massa, IT
Marble clock designed by Arch. Elda Lippi
Size: cm. 12 x 12 x 6 H.
Materials: Bianco Carrara - Nero Marquina - Pietra serena - Pietra dorata.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Marble
21st Century by D. Palterer Marble and Metal Clock in Rosso Francia e Verde Alpi
Located in massa, IT
Marble clock designed by Arch. David Palterer.
Size: cm. 10.5 x 6 x 26 H.
Materials: Rosso Francia / Verde Alpi
Designed by: David Palterer.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Marble
Modern table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, plastic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern table clocks and desk clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original table clocks and desk clocks, popular names associated with this style include Eugeni Quitllet, Kartell, ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ, and Philippe Starck. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $165 and tops out at $13,500 while the average work can sell for $1,163.
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