Design Inspo: The November Wright Auction House Machine Age Design Clocks

If you’re drawn to clocks that feel like they belonged in a factory-office tower lobby from the 1930s instead of a dusty bookshelf, the upcoming auction titled Machine Age Design: 1925–1950 (18 Nov 2025) at Wright is a feast of mechanical elegance. All of the tabletop timepieces featured draw directly from the streamlined, machine-inspired aesthetics of the inter-war period. ​

Gilbert Rohde Table Clock, model 4084B est. $2,500-$3,500

​This era of design owes much to the belief that machines could and should be beautiful, and that everyday objects should reflect speed, progress, and precision. In the clock world, that translated to chrome, Bakelite, geometric forms, and cases more angular than ornate—functional, yes, but also magnetic. One lot in the sale is a classic table clock by Gilbert Rohde (Model 4084B) that epitomises this mindset.

Gilbert Rohde Table Clock, Model. 6366. Est. $2,000-$3,000

​These aren’t simply time-keepers; they’re statements. A finely crafted tabletop clock from the Machine Age is like a miniature monument to industry and optimism. Whether you’re a collector of wrist-watches or just someone who appreciates design heritage, these pieces offer inspiration: the interplay of form and function, and how a humble object can reflect a broader cultural moment.

Art Deco Table Clock circa 1935, est. $700-$900

Seth Thomas Clock Company, Sutton Mantle Clock, est. $1,500-$2,000.

Gilbert Rohde Table Clock, Model 4083A, est. $600-$800

Gilbert Rohde Table Clock, est. $700-$900

Herbert Lamport Kal-Klok Desk Clock/Calendar, est. $1,000-$1,500