Diamond Clock is the angular one of the two wooden Nelson desk clocks: a solid walnut block cut to a diamond and raised on three brass stilts. There is no separate dial or glass. The walnut is the face, with round white ceramic hour markers set into the wood and brass hands moving directly over the grain. George Nelson’s studio designed it in the early years of the Howard Miller clock program; Vitra dates it 1947/1953. It shares its shape with Nelson’s Kite Clock of the same period, a flat wall clock Vitra no longer makes. Where the Kite hung on the wall, the Diamond gives the form depth, weight, and grain. Vitra has made it since 1999 from drawings in Nelson’s archive.
HOW IT WORKS
A German quartz movement sits inside the walnut case, which is closed by two recessed wood screws so the body reads as a single solid piece. Because battery access requires a screwdriver, we install a long-life lithium battery before it ships. The hour and minute hands are brass, the second hand red, and you read the time against the white markers. For daylight saving time, you can move the minute hand forward or back an hour; the setting knob is inside the case.
CHOOSING YOURS
There is one version, in solid walnut with brass hands and stilts. Because the wood is the face, the grain becomes part of the dial, and no two are quite alike. The three stilts are bare brass and can mark a polished surface, so we include clear vinyl caps if you want them. Vitra makes the Diamond Clock in smaller runs than the other desk clocks, and we try to keep it in stock because special orders can carry a longer lead time.
DEALER’S NOTES
Although made in smaller numbers, the Diamond is one of the more popular Nelson desk clocks with our clients. Of the two wooden desk clocks, the Chronopak is rounder and the Diamond more architectural. It is also more direct: there is no lens between you and the wood, and the hands sit close enough to the surface that you see the grain beneath them.
When the movement eventually wears out, replacement is straightforward with parts from us. Authentic examples carry the Vitra label, an engraved number inside, a German movement, and the weight of a solid walnut block. We have sold Vitra’s Nelson clocks since 2020, inspect each one before it ships, and pack it for safe transit.
Setting the time
The best way is the dial inside the clock: 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.
Replacing the battery
Diamond 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.
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 inside 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.
George Nelson Clock Updates
Recommended:
Get an email reminder during spring and fall time changes on how to set your clock.
