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George Nelso Night Clocks

George Nelso Night Clocks

George Nelson

Night Clock

Midnight under a dome.
5.75 inches tall, a brass or black body under a clear dome. The best known of Nelson's desk clocks.
$690.00 - $725.00

Authentic George Nelson Clock Produced by Vitra · Authorized US retailer

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Night Clock

$690.00 - $725.00
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Stock status shown above. Free US shipping from Charlotte, NC. In-stock items deliver in 1-6 business days.

Specifications

  • Origin: Poland, produced by Vitra
  • Year designed: 1947/1953
  • Dimensions: 5.75" h x 4.25" w x 4" d
  • Materials: Brass, acrylic glass
  • Weight: 2.3 lbs
  • 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

Night Clock is the best known of the desk clocks George Nelson’s studio designed for the Howard Miller Clock Company. It appeared in Howard Miller’s catalogue as Model 4766; Vitra dates the design 1947/1953, marking its first appearance and the form it later settled into. Unlike the wall clocks, this one was made to be read close by: a small brass case on a rounded foot, an acrylic dome over the dial, and a black face with white hour markers and arrow-shaped hour hand. Vitra has made it since 1999 from Nelson’s drawings.

HOW THE NIGHT CLOCK WORKS

A German quartz movement inside the case runs on one AA battery, which we install before the clock ships. The dial reads by the hands against twelve white markers, with a thin red second hand sweeping around them. The time is set with a knob on the back; the hands sit under the dome and are not accessible. There is no alarm and no light. At 5¾ inches tall, 4¼ wide, and 4 deep, it is compact but surprisingly heavy at 2.3 pounds because the case and base are solid brass. A felt pad underneath protects your furniture.

CHOOSING YOUR GEORGE NELSON CLOCK

The two finishes share the same black dial, white markers and hands, and red second hand. Brass is the original, polished, and will take on some patina over time. Black uses the same brass body with a dark finish and reads more quietly among books or other black objects. Brass is chosen more often; we have a soft spot for the Black for the same reason. We keep both in stock.

DEALER’S NOTES

Despite the name, we do not usually recommend the Night Clock for a bedside. It has no light, the second hand and stepper movement produce a faint tick up close, and the small case is easy to knock with a hand in the dark. It makes more sense on a desk, shelf, or table, where the dome keeps the dial protected and the solid brass gives the clock more weight than its size suggests.

The weight is also one of the easiest ways to distinguish the Vitra clock from a light replica. Authentic examples carry the Vitra label and use a German movement. Because the dome is fixed, the movement cannot be replaced at home as it can on most Nelson wall clocks; we provide that service in the US. We have sold Vitra’s Nelson clocks since 2020, inspect each one before it ships, and pack it for safe transit. It also works well as a gift, and we can engrave the back if you like.

Quick Help & Manual

Setting the time

Use the dial on the back of the clock to set the time.

setting the time on george nelson clocks

Replacing the battery

Night clocks run on a single AA 1.5V battery, which we install before shipping. 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. Acrylic glass can be cleaned with an acrylic glass cleaner. 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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