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George Nelson Cone Base Clock

George Nelson Cone Base Clock

George Nelson

Cone Base Clock

All metal, mostly face.
6.75 inches tall, powder-coated sheet metal. A broad face sits above a narrow cone base.
$670.00

Authentic George Nelson Clock Produced by Vitra · Authorized US retailer

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Cone Base Clock

$670.00
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In stock. Free US shipping from Charlotte, NC. Delivers in 1-6 business days.

Specifications

  • Origin: Poland, produced by Vitra
  • Year designed: 1947/1953
  • Dimensions: 6.75" h x 5.5" w x 2.5" d
  • Materials: Powder-coated sheet metal
  • Warranty: 2 years; 5 years on movement (parts)
  • Returns: Final sale
  • Movement: German quartz
  • Power: 1.5 V AA battery (included)
George Nelson desk clocks
George Nelson desk clocks

Cone Base Clock has a dial as wide as the clock itself, balanced on a cone. It is the only Nelson desk clock whose face is larger than its body, and that imbalance gives the design much of its character. It comes from the clock program George Nelson’s office began for Howard Miller in 1947, built around the idea that people read a clock by the position of its hands rather than its numerals. Vitra dates the design to 1947–53 and makes it today from drawings in Nelson’s archive.

HOW IT WORKS
The body is powder-coated sheet metal throughout: dial housing and cone, with no wood or plastic. The slightly concave white dial has light grey hour markers, short black hands, and a red second hand, all exposed rather than behind acrylic. A German quartz movement runs on one AA battery, included. To set the time, remove the back and use the setting mechanism; for a one-hour time adjustment, the minute hand can also be moved directly.

CHOOSING YOURS
There is one version, in white. It is a different clock from the Cone Clock, despite the shared 'Cone' name. That design is a white polyurethane cone with the dial set into its front; the Cone Base places a flat metal dial above a smaller cone and is metal throughout. If you like the cone form but prefer the weight and feel of metal, this is the one for you. We can engrave a message on the back.

DEALER’S NOTES
What we like is the all-metal construction and the exposed hands. Desk clocks without a fixed acrylic lens are easier to service. We usually keep one or two in stock because Vitra’s lead time can be longer than on some of the other Nelson clocks.

Authentic examples carry the Vitra label and use a German movement. 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. 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.

setting the time on george nelson clocks

Replacing the battery

Cone Base clocks run on a single AA 1.5V battery, which is included. The flat negative (−) end goes against the springier of the two contacts. 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 make it an annual routine at the time change.

replacing battery on george nelson clocks

Cleaning

Gently dust with a feather duster or microfiber cloth. For exposed hands, 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 replaceable, 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). For models with exposed hands, keep dust from building up on the hands and movement. Do not display the clock in a space that gets intense sunlight & 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).

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 and hands 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.

Pre-Sale Questions

Are you an authorized Vitra retailer?

Yes. We have been an authorized Vitra partner since 2020, and we added Vitra and Artek chairs in 2026. Every clock is new from the factory and inspected here before it ships.

Can I return a George Nelson clock?

No. Selecting the right model can be a difficult decision, so please contact us with any questions before purchasing — we want you to be happy with your purchase and will give you our honest read. Due to the fragile nature of these clocks, we do not accept change-of-mind returns. If your clock arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, contact us right away and we will make it right; the warranty is separate from the return policy. Full return policy.

Do you buy or sell vintage George Nelson clocks?

No. We sell only the current Vitra-made clocks, with quartz movements, produced since 1999.

Where are the clocks made?

In Poland, by Vitra, with German movements.

How long do the movements last?

With proper care, 10–25 years. They’re reliable and easy to replace, and Clock Forward covers the movement for three years beyond Vitra’s two-year warranty, parts only.

How can I extend the life of my movement?

Set the time with the dial on the back whenever you can; if you move the minute hand instead, keep a light touch and never move the hour hand on its own. Replace the battery once a year with Duracell, Duracell Procell Constant, or Energizer Ultimate Lithium. Keep the clock out of strong sun, heat, dust, and humidity. Full instructions are under Quick Help.

Do you sell replacement parts?

Yes: movements, hands, and the nuts that hold them, for Vitra-made Nelson clocks. Wall clock movements are simple to replace yourself; desk clocks with hands behind acrylic need professional service.

Why choose the authentic clock over a copy?

Because the copy only looks like the clock in a photograph. The Vitra clock has solid rays, an even finish, a German movement, and the original proportions and hands, and it carries a Vitra label on the back. It also holds up: ours have survived falls that would have ended a copy. Authentic Nelson clocks tend to hold their value on the secondary market as well.

Where do you ship from?

From our warehouse in Charlotte, North Carolina. A few models are made to order and take longer; we’ll tell you the lead time before you commit.

Why buy from Clock Forward?

We’ve sold Vitra’s Nelson clocks since 2020. We inspect every clock before it ships, pack it for safe transit, stock the parts, and want to hear how the clock is doing for as long as you own it.

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