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George Nelson Ball Clocks

George Nelson Ball Clocks

George Nelson

Ball Clock

Authorized original.
Produced by Vitra
Year Designed:
1949
Materials:
Metal, wood (balls), acrylic lacquer finish, German quartz movement
Measures:
13" diameter, 2.25" deep
Movement Warranty:
5 Year by Clock Forward
$535.00 - $685.00
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Ball Clock

$535.00 - $685.00
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Stock status shown above. Free US shipping from Charlotte, NC. In-stock items deliver in 1-6 business days.

George Nelson wall clocks, handmade in Poland
George Nelson wall clocks
George Nelson wall clocks (shown at relative scale)

GEORGE NELSON BALL CLOCKS
The iconic mid-century modern clock. In an 1981 interview with Ralph Caplan, George Nelson told the story of the creation of the Ball Clock:

‘We were all involved in cooking up these clocks, and Irving [Harper], in the end, was the one who made them complicated, beautiful, and so on. And there was one night when the Ball Clock got developed, which was one of the really funny evenings. [Isamu] Noguchi came by, and Bucky Fuller came by. I’d been seeing a lot of Bucky those days, and here was Irving and here was I, and Noguchi, who can’t keep his hands off anything, you know—it is a marvelous, itchy thing he’s got—he saw we were working on clocks and he started making doodles. Then Bucky sort of brushed Isamu aside. He said, “This is a good way to do a clock”, and he made some utterly absurd thing. Everybody was taking a crack at this...pushing each other aside and making scribbles.

At some point we left—we were suddenly all tired, and we'd had a little bit too much to drink—and the next morning I came back, and here was this roll [of drafting paper], and Irving and I looked at it, and somewhere in this roll there was the Ball Clock. I don’t know to this day who cooked it up. I know it wasn’t me. It might have been Irving, but he didn’t think so. [We] both guessed that Isamu had probably done it because [he] has a genius for doing two stupid things and making something extraordinary...out of the combination...[Or] it could have been an additive thing, but, anyway, we never knew. So we did the Ball Clock, which was, in its piddling way, a sort of all-time best-seller for Howard [Miller, because] suddenly it was decided by Mrs. America that this was the clock to put in your kitchen. Why [the] kitchen, I don’t know. But every ad that showed a kitchen for years after that had a ball clock in it.’

****

Source:
Vitra, https://www.vitra.com/en-us/magazine/details/the-best-ideas-come-at-night, date accessed: June 1, 2020

  • GEORGE NELSON BALL CLOCK
  • Handmade in Poland
  • Original George Nelson Clock produced by Vitra
  • Dimensions: 13 diameter, 2.5 deep in. (33 x 6.4 cm)
  • Weight: 1.25 lbs
  • High quality quartz clock movement
  • 1.5v battery powered (included)
  • Materials: metal, wood (balls), acrylic lacquer finish
Setting the time

Never adjust the time by moving the hands. Use the dial on the back of the clock to set the time.

setting the time on george nelson wall clocks

Replacing the battery

All wall clocks are powered by a AA 1.5 V battery (included). Inserting the battery: Angle the battery in, pressing the negative flat side of the battery into the spring, and then push down. If your clock is running slow at any point, try a new battery (we recommend Duracell or Energizer).

replacing battery on george nelson wall clocks

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 can last 10-25 years. To extend the movement's life, change the battery once a year (during fall or spring time change is a good idea). Keep dust from building up on the hands and movement. Do not display the clock in a space that gets intense sunlight and/or heat throughout the day. Adjust the hands using the dial or knob on the back of the clock only. It's best to rotate the dial so the hands move in a clockwise direction, but it's OK for them to rotate counterclockwise (for example, when setting the time back an hour in the fall).

Return policy

We know selecting the 'right' George Nelson clock model can be a difficult decision. Please contact us with any questions before purchasing. We want you to be happy with your purchase and will provide honest insight. Due to the fragile nature of our clocks, we do not accept returns. Please contact us immediately if your clock arrives damaged or is malfunctioning.

Warranty & Repairs

George Nelson clocks produced by Vitra are guaranteed against defects under normal use, for 2 years on parts & labor from the date of purchase. If the replacement part does not fix the issue, a full replacement may be authorized. Normal wear and tear damage or defects are excluded from warranty after 2 years. The movement is covered under the 5-year parts warranty by Clock Forward.

We stock replacement movements and hands for Vitra-produced George Nelson clocks only. Please contact us if you have any problems throughout the life of your clock—whether in or out of warranty.

Pre-Sale Questions

Are you an authorized Vitra retailer?

Yes, we have been authorized Vitra partners since 2020. All our clocks are new from the factory and inspected before shipping.

Do you buy or sell vintage George Nelson clocks?

No, we exclusively sell contemporary Vitra-produced George Nelson clocks with quartz movements. These clocks are manufactured post-2000.

Where are Vitra-produced George Nelson clocks made?

The clocks are produced in Poland and the movements in Germany.

How long do the movements last?

With proper care, quartz movements typically last 10-25 years. They're reliable and easily replaced. We provide a 5-year warranty on all movements.

How can I extend the life of my movement?

Only adjust the time using the back knob. Though tempting, never move the hands directly as this can damage the movement and minute hand. Replace batteries annually using quality brands like Duracell or Energizer. Avoid placing clocks in areas with high humidity, dust, or direct sunlight.

Do you sell replacement parts?

Yes, we stock movements and replacement hands. Wall clock mechanisms are simple to replace, while desktop clock repairs behind plexiglass require professional service.

Why choose authentic over knock-offs?

Authentic Vitra pieces offer superior build quality and maintain their value over time. While replicas may look similar in photos, the difference in craftsmanship becomes evident with use. Genuine George Nelson clocks often appreciate in value on the secondary market.

Where do you ship from?

George Nelson clocks ship from our Charlotte, NC warehouse. Custom orders may have longer lead times but are worth the wait due to their limited production. We'll keep you informed about any delays.

Why buy from Clock Forward?

We often hear praise for our customer support, which is perplexing because we simply run our business the way any company that cares about their customers and makers should. Reflecting on our own experiences with other businesses, we have realized that exceptional customer service in the US has become rare. We genuinely want to hear about your experience with your clock, and once our pieces find a good home, we want them to stay there.

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