Angelo Mangiarotti

ANGELO MANGIAROTTI (Milan, 1921–2012).
“Secticon” table clock. Switzerland, 1960s.
Platico.
In very good condition and it works.
Measurements: 25 x 13 x 13 cm.
Table clock made of molded plastic with metal accents and a clearly legible dial. Its compact, geometric silhouette reflects the pursuit of formal synthesis characteristic of mid-20th-century design, combining technical innovation, functionality, and a refined aesthetic.
The Secticon model was developed by Angelo Mangiarotti in collaboration with Bruno Morassutti for the Swiss firm Portescap, which specialized in precision mechanisms. Conceived in the mid-1950s, it incorporated an innovative electric movement designed to improve the clock’s accuracy through new engineering solutions. The combination of Swiss watchmaking technology and Italian design makes this piece a significant example of the integration of industry, technical research, and modern design.
Angelo Mangiarotti was an Italian architect, sculptor, and industrial designer who graduated with a degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1948. During his stay in the United States in 1953–1954, he came into contact with key figures in modern architecture, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Upon his return, he founded a studio with Bruno Morassutti before establishing his own career in collaboration with firms such as Artemide, Cassina, Danese, Knoll, and Vistosi. In 1994, he received the Compasso d’Oro for his professional career and the Marble Architectural Award. His work is represented in the collections of institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Triennale Milano, which dedicated a retrospective to him in 2023.