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Zoo Timers

Zoo Timers

George Nelson

Zoo Timers

Three animals, twelve hours.
7.5 to 10 inches, screen-printed lacquered wood, designed in 1965. Elihu the Elephant, Fernando the Fish, and Omar the Owl put numbers back on the dial.
$245.00

Authentic George Nelson Clock Produced by Vitra · Authorized US retailer

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Zoo Timers

$245.00
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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: 1965
  • Dimensions: Elihu the Elephant 10" dia x 1.375" d
    Fernando the Fish 9.75" h x 9.75" w x 1.375" d
    Omar the Owl 7.5" dia x 1.375" d
  • Materials: Lacquered screen print on wood, metal hands
  • Warranty: 2 years; 5 years on movement (parts)
  • Returns: Final sale
  • Movement: German quartz
  • Power: 1.5 V AA battery (included)

Zoo Timers are the Nelson clocks with numbers. The rest of the series largely dropped numerals on the idea that adults read time by the hands alone; these were designed for children still learning, so the numbers came back, big and bold, with hands in colors that are easy to follow. The three animals are Omar the Owl, Fernando the Fish, and Elihu the Elephant, each screen-printed on a shaped wood panel. George Nelson’s office designed them in 1965 for Howard Miller. Vitra makes them today from drawings in Nelson’s archive.

HOW ZOO TIMERS WORK

Each clock is a wood panel cut to the animal’s silhouette, screen-printed on the front in two or three colors, and sealed under a durable clear coating: Omar in black with blue feathers and yellow-green eyes, Fernando in blue over green scales, and Elihu in pink and black with a fingerprint-like pattern. The metal hands are matched to each animal, with an arrow-shaped hour hand. The clocks are small, about 7½ to 10 inches across, and only 1⅜ inches deep. A German quartz movement runs on one AA battery, included. Each hangs from the movement keyhole, and the time is set with the dial behind the clock.

CHOOSING YOUR GEORGE NELSON CLOCK

There are three animals at the same price. Omar the Owl is the smallest at 7½″; Fernando the Fish and Elihu the Elephant are both close to 10″. Vitra also made Talulah the Toucan for a time, but it is no longer in production. Pick the animal rather than the size: all three work the same way, and the character is the point.

DEALER’S NOTES

These work well in a child’s room, but they are not only for children. The clear coating is substantial enough that the panel is sometimes mistaken for polymer; it is wood, which we can see at the center whenever we replace a movement. Vitra no longer includes the original mounting bracket, so we make one based on Vitra’s design and include it with each clock to help it hang straight. We try to keep all three in stock.

Authentic examples carry the Vitra label and use a German movement. The movement is straightforward to replace, and 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.

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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