The timing recovery device of the sampling type uses two signal samples per symbol time and takes a control signal (for a local oscillator which generates the timing signal) given essentially by the product of a reconstruction error signal [e n (to)] appraised at the generic sampling instant (to), multiplied by the difference between the values of the reconstructed symbols, taken at one-half symbol interval [y n (to+T/2), y n (to-T/2)] respectively before and after said sampling instant. The control signal [U n (to)] thus obtained allows generation of a timing signal (CK) which positions with extreme accuracy and stability the sampling instant of the received signal at the minimum points of the mean square error curve, even under selective fading conditions.