Art Deco General Electric "Breton" Clock

This is a proud addition to my Art Deco collection. I recently acquired this General Electric "Breton" clock (model 4H72), designed by John Rainbault. This clock was sold between 1937 and 1939, and cost $8.95. Considering that a loaf of bread cost around 8 cents and 25 pounds of sugar cost around $1.25 during the Great Depression, this clock was very expensive for its time.

The Breton has a Machine Age, skyscraper form with a stepped aluminum base and a white vertical glass pane with engraved and mirrored silver numerals. It also has a small Mazda light bulb in the base that gives it a nice glow in the dark (has a high/low switch for the bulb). It measures approximately 8" high, and the base is 8" wide.

This clock is one of the most desirable of the period. It's super fragile to ship too, since the glass pane often gets shattered during shipment. I was glad when it arrived safely and well packed!

I've seen another version of this clock with a rounded top and black numerals, and it also lacks the center design. To me, that version of the clock is not nearly attractive as this one.