Popsicle Clock is the one Nelson clock that marks every minute. Sixty flat walnut sticks radiate from a brass center, one for each minute of the hour, with a white pin on every fifth stick to mark the hours. Much of the Nelson clock program took the idea that people read time by the hands and stripped the dial back; the Popsicle kept the full minute track and made it the design. George Nelson’s office designed it in 1957 for Howard Miller, which catalogued it as Model 2257. Vitra has made it since 2018 from drawings in Nelson’s archive.
HOW IT WORKS
The sticks are thin lacquered walnut, set closely enough that they read as a continuous texture from a distance; up close, the grain of each one is different. Twelve white pins mark the hours. The hands are white powder-coated metal, a slender long arrow for the minute and a hand with a ring near its tip for the hour, with a red second hand. At 13⅞″ across, 3 inches deep, and about 1.2 pounds, it is one of the smaller and lighter 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. Among the radial Nelson clocks, the Popsicle is the most finely divided: where the Star has twelve arms, this has sixty, so the wood reads as half surface and half open structure. It works best where people will see it from relatively close range, such as a hallway, study, or smaller living space.
DEALER’S NOTES
What we like most is the density of the walnut against the small brass center. The one thing to know is contrast: the white hands sit over a busy wood pattern, so they can take a second look to find from farther away. Up close, that matters less, and the individual grain of the sixty sticks becomes part of the clock’s character.
Authentic examples carry the Vitra label and use a German movement, which is straightforward to replace. 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.
