Alarm clock - Peter Space Age Plastic - 1970-1980 - Apollo Helmet Clock

A highly distinctive vintage **Peter “Apollo” mechanical alarm clock**, made in Germany circa the early 1970s.

With its sculptural bright-orange body and deeply curved transparent front, this remarkable clock was clearly conceived to resemble an **astronaut’s helmet**, with the transparent cover acting like a space-helmet visor. The model name **“Apollo”** reinforces its direct connection with the optimistic fascination for space exploration and lunar missions that strongly influenced European design around 1970.

The compact casing has a beautifully rounded, almost aerodynamic profile, making the clock attractive from every angle. Its vivid orange colour, black dial and bold graphic elements make it a particularly expressive example of **German Space Age and Pop design**.

The dial is one of the most striking aspects of the clock. It features oversized stylised numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9, geometric hour markers, broad silver-coloured hands with luminous inserts and a contrasting slender blue alarm-setting hand. The names **“Peter”** and **“Apollo”**, together with **“Made in Germany”**, appear on the original black dial.

The typography, strong black-and-white contrast and luminous details create an appearance reminiscent of spacecraft instrumentation, while the orange shell gives the clock the playful futuristic character typical of the finest domestic objects produced during the Space Age era.

Original Peter mechanical movement

The clock retains its original German-made **Peter mechanical movement, reference 524-301**, with the identification clearly stamped into the metal movement plate together with the word **“Germany.”**

This is a traditional hand-wound mechanical movement, operated without batteries or electricity. It is equipped with separate spring-driven mechanisms and winding controls for the timekeeping and alarm functions, together with a mechanical balance-wheel regulator.

The slender blue hand on the dial is used to indicate the selected alarm time. Both the clock mechanism and the alarm function have been tested and are working correctly.

### Peter-Uhren historical background

Peter-Uhren was an important German clock manufacturer based in Rottweil. The company’s industrial origins date back to 1866, when Wilhelm Jerger began producing clocks in Niedereschach. Andreas Peter took over the business in 1914, and the company subsequently became known as Peter-Uhren.

In 1924, the main headquarters were transferred to Rottweil, while additional production facilities remained active in Niedereschach and later in Irslingen. A new factory building was inaugurated in 1966 for the company’s centenary.

Period company material from around 1970 records approximately **800 employees** and an extensive production range comprising mechanical and electric alarm clocks, table clocks, wall clocks, kitchen clocks, signalling clocks and movements. Peter-Uhren also maintained an extensive international export network. At the end of the 1960s, the German company became associated with the French clock manufacturer **JAZ S.A.**

This industrial background places the Apollo within a significant period of German clock production, when traditional mechanical engineering was combined with the radical new shapes, plastics and colours of the Space Age.

Although surviving period advertisements and company documentation confirm Peter-Uhren’s substantial production around 1970, no specific catalogue page identifying this exact Apollo version has yet been located. For this reason, the clock is conservatively dated to **circa the early 1970s**.

### Condition

The clock is preserved in good original vintage condition.

The orange plastic case retains its strong colour and presents well, with only light signs of age and use. The transparent curved cover shows some minor surface marks and light scratches consistent with its age. There are **no cracks or breaks**.

The dial, hands, printed markings and original mechanical movement are well preserved. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.

Details

* Manufactured by Peter-Uhren in Rottweil, in the Black Forest clockmaking region of south-western Germany.
* Brand: Peter
* Model: Apollo
* Movement reference: 524-301
* Movement: Mechanical, hand-wound
* Functions: Time display and mechanical alarm
* Alarm indicator: Slender blue setting hand
* Country of manufacture: Germany
* Period: Circa early 1970s
* Style: Space Age, Pop, Mid-Century Modern
* Material: Plastic case, metal movement and curved transparent cover
* Colour: Bright orange with black dial
* Approximate width: 6 cm
* Approximate height: 9 cm
* Approximate depth: 5 cm
* Condition: Good original vintage condition
* Working condition: Clock and alarm both tested and functioning

A compact but visually powerful collector’s object, combining authentic German mechanical construction with one of the most evocative themes of 20th-century design: the optimism and futuristic imagination of the Space Age.

The item offered is original, vintage, and pre-owned, and is described accurately and in good faith.
Before listing, the item is carefully cleaned, tested, and documented with detailed photographs and, where applicable, a video showing its actual condition and functionality. All functions mentioned in the description are tested and verified and are tested again before shipment as a final quality check.
Photographs form an integral part of the description and accurately represent the condition of the item at the time of listing.
As this is a vintage item, minor signs of age and normal wear are to be expected and are consistent with its age. Any structural damage, missing parts, or non-functioning features are clearly disclosed in the description and/or visible in the images. Colours may vary slightly due to lighting conditions and screen settings.
The item will be professionally packed using protective materials, and double-boxed where appropriate. Shipping is tracked and insured. The item is handed over to the carrier in the same condition as documented prior to dispatch.In the unfortunate case of damage during transport the buyer is invited to follow Catawiki’s guidelines in a timely manner.
The buyer is responsible for providing a correct shipping address and for collecting the parcel within the carrier’s specified timeframe. In case of non-collection, refusal of delivery, or incorrect address, Catawiki’s applicable procedures and conditions will apply.
By placing a bid, the buyer confirms that they have carefully read the description and reviewed all images. This is a vintage mechanical timepiece. Due to its age and original components, slight variations in performance, accuracy, or behaviour may occur over time, even if fully functional at the time of testing.