Desk Clocks

Product catalog summary

Introduction to George Nelson's Clock Collection

In 1947, American designer George Nelson was tasked with creating a collection of clocks. He observed that people primarily read time by the position of the clock hands, rendering numbers unnecessary. With the rise of wristwatches, Nelson envisioned clocks as decorative interior elements.

First Collection and Design Philosophy

The initial collection, launched in 1949, featured 14 timepieces, including wall and table clocks, all devoid of numbers. The designs varied greatly in shape, color, material, and style, emphasizing their decorative purpose.

Materials and Specifications

Materials used included brass, acrylic glass, polyurethane, and solid walnut.
Each clock contained a high-quality quartz movement and came with a 1.5-volt battery.
The walnut wood originated from Western Europe and/or Poland.

Legacy and Reissues

Over 35 years, Nelson Associates designed over a hundred clock models. After Nelson's death in 1986, his extensive archival estate was acquired by the Vitra Design Museum. Vitra began reissuing the Nelson Clocks in 1999, updating the collection periodically. The Desk Clocks remain a unique alternative to conventional clocks, available in various shapes and materials.

Dimensions of Selected Clocks

Cone Clock: 146 mm (5¾”)
Diamond Clock: 155 mm (6”)
Night Clock: 265 mm (10”)
Tripod Clock: 170 mm (6¾”)
Chronopak Cone Base Clock: 137 mm (5½”)

For more information, Vitra can be contacted at [email protected] or through their website.

Catalog excerpts

Desk ClocksGeorge Nelson, 1947/1953 In 1947, the American designer George Nelson was commissioned to create a collection of clocks. Nelson analysed how people used clocks and concluded that they read the time by discerning the relative position of the hands, which made the use of numbers unnecessary. Furthermore, since most people wore wristwatches, he assumed that clocks had become more of a decorative element for interiors. These ideas provided the basis for the first collection of 14 timepieces, consisting of a completely new style of wall clocks and compact table clocks, which were launched on the market in 1949. Although the models all shared one common feature - the absence of numbers - the diversity of their shapes, colours, materials and designs could hardly have been greater. In the 35 years that followed, the designers at Nelson Associates conceived more than a hundred different clock models: wall clocks, portable table clocks and built-in clocks. After Nelson's death in 1986, his archival estate, encompassing roughly 7400 manuscripts, plans, drawings, photographs and slides dating from 1924 to 1984, was acquired by the Vitra Design Museum. Vitra began reissuing the Nelson Clocks in 1999 and updates the collection from time to time. The Desk Clocks are available in various shapes and materials. Equipped with high-quality quartz movements, they continue to offer a refreshing alternative to conventional clocks. Materials • Materials: brass, acrylic glass, polyurethane, solid walnut. • Product contents: high-quality quartz clock movement, 1.5 volt battery included. • Origin of wood: walnut (Juglans nigra) from Western Europe and/or Poland.

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