French industrial automaton clock, horizontal boiler

The group of clocks whose subject is based on machinery, navigation and industry is called "industrial clocks". Their origin could be explained by a growing interest in technical innovations and modernization among an ever-growing public in the second half of the 19th century. And there must have been a growing group of people whose wealth rested on this new industrialization and commerce. There is often much to see with the use of thermometers and barometers. Larger examples often have separate mechanisms to power moving automata like this clock. Much of the appeal of these clocks must have been to entertain and impress onlookers. The main designer and producer was the Guilmet house in Paris.