Diamond Markers Clock has hands you never see. A black diamond and black dash circle the rim of a raised orange disc, while the arms that carry them remain hidden behind it, so the markers appear to travel on their own. Around the disc, twelve white faceted points stand in for the hours. The orange center is printed with a decorative geometric line pattern, reminiscent of a mark made on a spinning wheel, that gives depth to the flat surface. George Nelson’s office designed it in 1960 for Howard Miller as part of the late Motion Notion series, which treated the clock as a moving object as much as an instrument; Howard Miller catalogued it as Model 2267. Vitra has recently returned the design to production from drawings in Nelson’s archive.
HOW IT WORKS
The hour and minute arms attach to the movement behind the orange disc and extend to its edge, where each ends in a black marker: the diamond marks the hour, the dash the minutes. You read the time by where each sits against the ring of twelve points. The disc is enameled metal and the faceted points are polymer. At 13¾″ across, it is one of the smaller Nelson wall clocks. A German quartz movement runs on one AA battery, included. It hangs from a keyhole on the back, and the time is set with the dial behind the clock.
CHOOSING YOURS
There is one version, white with an orange center. It is the only Nelson wall clock in Vitra’s current collection that hides its hands completely, so the movement itself becomes part of the visual idea. It works best where people will see it from relatively close range and notice how the markers move around the disc.
DEALER’S NOTES
This is the odd one in the series, in a good way. The hands disappear, the markers seem to move on their own, and nothing else in the current collection works quite like it. The polymer outer elements also make it light for a Nelson wall clock, while the raised metal center disc gives the flat face depth.
The movement is the standard type used across much of the Nelson wall clock range and is straightforward to replace. Authentic examples carry the Vitra label and use a German movement. We stock movements, hands, and the nuts that hold them; see our replacement guide. We have sold Vitra’s Nelson clocks since 2020 and inspect each one before it ships.
Setting the time
The best way is the dial on the back: turn it so the hands move clockwise. Turning it counterclockwise is fine for setting the hour back in the fall. If taking the clock down is awkward, you may also move the minute hand directly, gently and clockwise. Never move the hour hand on its own; it can damage the gears and put the hands out of sync. The one risk in moving the minute hand is loosening the small nut (open or closed, depending on the model) that holds it in place; a loose nut can eventually let the minute hand come off. If that happens, we sell replacement nuts and hands, and the fix takes a minute.
Replacing the battery
All wall clocks run on a single AA 1.5V battery, which is included. The flat negative (−) end goes against the springier of the two contacts on the movement: angle that end in first, then press the battery down. We prefer Duracell, Duracell Procell Constant, or Energizer Ultimate Lithium (non-rechargeable), which is leak-proof. Replace the battery as soon as the clock starts losing time, or better, make it an annual routine at the spring or fall time change; the old battery is usually still good for a remote or another device.
Cleaning
Gently dust with a feather duster or microfiber cloth. Be careful not to knock the clock off the wall. Occasionally blow dust from the movement shaft to prevent buildup. To clean stains, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with a very diluted mild, non-abrasive detergent, and promptly dry. Contact us about any stubborn stains or mechanical issues.
Extending the life of the movement
The clock movement is easily replaced (see Hand / Movement Replacement Guide), but with good care it lasts 10–25 years. Change the battery once a year; the fall or spring time change is a good reminder. Keep dust from building up on the hands and the movement shaft. Keep the clock out of strong sun and heat. Set the time with the dial on the back whenever you can, and if you move the minute hand instead, keep a light touch and leave the hour hand alone.
Warranty & Repairs
George Nelson clocks made by Vitra are guaranteed against defects under normal use for 2 years from the date of purchase, parts and labor. Clock Forward covers the movement for 3 further years, parts only. If a replacement part doesn’t solve the problem within the warranty, a full replacement may be authorized. Normal wear is not covered.
We stock replacement movements, hands, and nuts for Vitra-made George Nelson clocks only. Please contact us with any problem for as long as you own the clock, in or out of warranty.
George Nelson Clock Updates
Recommended:
Get an email reminder during spring and fall time changes on how to set your clock.
