Vitra Popsicle Clock by Georgen Nelson

Design: George Nelson, 1948 - 1960

Vitra Wall Clocks - the origin

The creation of George Nelson's special Wall Clock series dates back to 1947, when Nelson was commissioned to develop a watch collection. The American designer made considerations that can be found in the various watch models. For one thing, Nelson said there was no need to put numbers on the watches, as the time could be read very well from the relative position of the watch hand. On the other hand, the widespread use of wristwatches at that time led him to conclude that wall clocks could be special decorative elements. The clock as a decorative element at that time already had a different effect on interior design than in earlier times.

The digitless Popsicle Clock

Nelson's considerations led to the creation of watches which, then as now, are convincing because of their individual design. George Nelson launched 14 table and wall clocks in 1949. The designs are particularly striking because of their different designs. The Popsicle Clock, for example, has a fundamentally different design than the Eye Clock. What all watches have in common is the consistent absence of numerals.

Nelson watches relaunched at Vitra

In the following years George Nelson's designers designed many more watches. After his death, large parts of his estate were transferred to the Vitra Design Museum. Vitra has been offering Nelson watches again since 1999. The selection of models, colours and shapes is varied and the watches also convince functionally with a high-quality quartz movement. The unique designs, such as the Popsicle Clock, are convincing in every interior today and are a charming alternative to conventional timepieces.