Flip clock - Plastic - 1970-1980 - Space Age - National

Brand: National
Model: Young Suyasuya TG02(2)
Type: Vintage Drum-Type Flip Clock / AC Alarm Clock
Era: 1970s
Manufacturer: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd.
Market: Japan domestic specification
Serial number: 70226-MB
Power: AC 100V / 50–60Hz / 1.5W

Distinctive 1970s Japanese vintage alarm clock featuring a mechanical rotating drum-type display and characteristic Space Age styling.

This listing is for a National “Young Suyasuya” TG02(2), a vintage Japanese AC alarm clock manufactured by Matsushita Electric Works Ltd.

The TG02(2) is a distinctive example of 1970s Japanese consumer-product design, combining a rounded case, bold mechanical numerals, and retro-futuristic styling characteristic of the Space Age era.

In Japan, clocks of this type are commonly known as “Patapata clocks” and are strongly associated with Showa Retro (Japanese retro) design.

The Young Suyasuya series is also relatively popular among vintage clock and retro-design enthusiasts in Japan.

This item is offered primarily as a vintage collectible and decorative object representing 1970s Japanese Space Age design.

Although its operation has been tested as described below, it is a Japanese domestic-market vintage electrical product manufactured several decades ago and is not presented as a modern electrical appliance conforming to current safety standards in the buyer’s country.

Key Features & Condition

Model: Young Suyasuya TG02(2)

Brand: National

Manufacturer: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd.

Era: 1970s

Japanese domestic-market specification

Serial number: 70226-MB

Power: AC 100V / 50–60Hz / 1.5W

50Hz / 60Hz frequency selector

Vintage mechanical rotating drum-type time display

Alarm with buzzer

Snooze function

Neon lamp

Tested and confirmed working properly at the time of listing

Lightly cleaned

No restoration or extensive servicing performed

Drum-Type Mechanical Display

Although commonly described as a “flip clock” or “Patapata clock” in Japan, this model uses a rotating drum-type mechanical display.

The numeral leaves rotate with the drums to display the time, producing the characteristic mechanical movement associated with Japanese digital clocks of the 1970s.

There is a slight vertical misalignment between the one-minute and ten-minute numerals.

This does not affect the operation observed during testing.

Please refer to the photographs for the actual appearance of the display.

Functional Check

The clock was tested before listing.

After setting the time, the clock was operated continuously for approximately 24 hours.

No noticeable timekeeping error was observed during this 24-hour test.

The alarm was tested by setting the alarm time and confirming that the buzzer sounded correctly.

The snooze function was also tested and confirmed working.

The snooze operates at approximately 5-minute intervals.

The neon lamp was tested and confirmed working.

The neon lamp illuminates when the clock is connected to power.

The mechanical time display was also confirmed to operate correctly.

The operational test was carried out in a 50Hz region of Japan using the Japanese domestic AC power supply.

Please note that this is a vintage electromechanical clock several decades old.

The above information is provided as a description of the item's condition and operation observed at the time of testing and listing. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future accuracy, long-term operation, or conformity with current electrical safety standards in the buyer’s country.

Design & Historical Context

The National “Young Suyasuya” TG02(2) represents the distinctive design language of Japanese consumer products from the 1970s.

Its rounded case, prominent mechanical numerals and compact retro-futuristic appearance reflect the Space Age influence that appeared in many household products during this period.

Today, this style is also strongly associated with Showa Retro culture in Japan, where appliances, clocks, furniture and other everyday objects from the mid-to-late Showa period have become increasingly appreciated for their distinctive design.

The mechanical display gives the clock a visual character very different from modern LCD or LED digital clocks.

Rather than electronically changing the displayed numerals, the clock physically moves its numeral leaves through a rotating drum mechanism.

This mechanical movement is one of the characteristic attractions of vintage flip and drum clocks.

The TG02(2) is offered primarily for its appeal as a vintage collectible and decorative object for collectors of Japanese industrial design, Space Age interiors, Showa Retro items and vintage mechanical digital clocks.

Condition Details

The clock is in relatively good cosmetic condition considering its age.

However, as an original vintage item from the 1970s, there are scratches, marks, dirt and other signs of age and previous use.

There is a slight vertical misalignment between the one-minute and ten-minute numerals, but this did not interfere with the operation observed during testing.

Only light cleaning was carried out.

No restoration or extensive servicing was performed.

Please refer carefully to the photographs for detailed cosmetic condition.

Power Supply (Important)

This unit operates on AC 100V / 50–60Hz / 1.5W (Japan domestic specification).

The clock is equipped with a 50Hz / 60Hz frequency selector, as indicated on the original rear instruction label.

The frequency selector should be set to the appropriate position according to the mains frequency used in the area where the clock will be operated.

The operational test described above was carried out in a 50Hz region of Japan with the frequency selector set for 50Hz operation.

A suitable step-down transformer is required for operation in countries using a mains voltage higher than 100V.

Do not connect this clock directly to a 220–240V power supply.

Please confirm the mains voltage and frequency in your country or region and use the appropriate voltage-conversion equipment and frequency-selector setting before operation.

As this is a vintage Japanese domestic-market electrical product manufactured several decades ago, the buyer is responsible for determining whether and how it may be safely operated in accordance with the electrical requirements and applicable regulations of their country or region.

Included

Clock unit only

No original box, instruction manual, transformer, or other accessories are included.

Shipping & Import Charges

The item will be carefully packed and shipped from Japan using eLogi, an international shipping service that officially supports integration with Catawiki.

The shipping carrier will be selected according to the destination, shipping conditions, service availability, cost, and other relevant circumstances.

Depending on the destination and conditions at the time of shipment, FedEx, DHL, UPS, or another carrier available through eLogi may be used.

The final shipping carrier will be selected by the seller based on the most appropriate available shipping option for the destination.

Shipping is available only to countries and regions where an appropriate shipping service is available through eLogi and where the item can legally be accepted for import.

If no suitable shipping service is available for the buyer’s country, region, or address, or if applicable shipping or import requirements cannot be met, the order may be cancelled in accordance with Catawiki’s applicable policies and procedures.

Shipping costs are to be paid by the buyer.

Unless otherwise required by the selected carrier, destination country, or applicable Catawiki procedures, shipments will generally be sent under DDU/DAP terms.

Under DDU/DAP terms, import duties, customs clearance fees, carrier clearance or handling fees, taxes, and other import-related charges that are not already collected by Catawiki at the time of purchase are the responsibility of the buyer.

The seller does not cover import duties, taxes, customs fees, or other charges imposed by the destination country or carrier unless otherwise required under Catawiki’s applicable policies or the shipping service used.

Please note that customs regulations, import restrictions, tax requirements, and clearance procedures vary depending on the destination country.

Some items may be restricted or subject to specific import conditions in certain countries.

Before placing a bid, buyers are responsible for confirming that the item can be legally imported into their country and that an appropriate shipping service is available to their destination.

Important Notice for Buyers in the European Union

For eligible EU orders, Catawiki may collect import VAT from the buyer at checkout under the IOSS system or other applicable VAT arrangements.

Where import VAT has already been collected by Catawiki and the shipment qualifies for the applicable IOSS procedure, the same import VAT should not normally be charged again upon delivery, provided that the shipment is processed correctly under the applicable customs procedure.

The appropriate Catawiki-provided IOSS information will be used for eligible shipments where required.

Please note that the use of the IOSS procedure for VAT does not necessarily mean that the shipment is sent under DDP terms. Eligible shipments may still be sent under DDU/DAP terms.

Therefore, even where VAT has already been collected by Catawiki, import duties, customs handling charges, carrier clearance fees, administrative fees, or other import-related charges may still apply depending on the destination country and the circumstances of the shipment.

These charges are separate from VAT already collected by Catawiki and, where applicable, are the responsibility of the buyer.

EU customs, VAT, IOSS, and low-value import procedures may change over time, and their practical implementation may vary depending on the destination country, customs authority, carrier, and individual shipment.

As a result, EU deliveries may occasionally require additional customs procedures, documentation, charges, or processing time.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding regarding the evolving EU import and customs environment.

Refused, Unclaimed, Undeliverable, Returned Shipments and Reshipping

If a shipment is refused, unclaimed, undeliverable, returned to the seller, or cannot be completed due to circumstances attributable to the buyer—such as refusal of delivery, failure to pay applicable import duties, taxes, customs or carrier charges, failure to complete customs procedures, failure to respond to the carrier or customs authorities, failure to collect the shipment, or an incorrect or incomplete delivery address provided by the buyer—the matter will be handled in accordance with Catawiki’s applicable policies and procedures.

Any issues relating to refused delivery, non-delivery, undeliverable shipments, customs clearance failure, returns, reshipping, additional shipping costs, return-related charges, refunds, or cancellation will be handled in accordance with Catawiki’s applicable policies and, where necessary, through Catawiki Support.

The seller will not independently determine or process refunds, cancellations, reshipping arrangements, or other resolutions outside the procedures required by Catawiki.

Where reshipping is permitted under Catawiki’s applicable policies and procedures, the item may be reshipped at the buyer’s expense if the return or delivery failure was not caused by an error or omission on the seller’s side.

Reshipping will only be carried out after the returned item has been received and inspected by the seller and after any required arrangements and payments have been confirmed through the appropriate Catawiki process.

If the refusal, non-delivery, return, or delivery failure was caused by an error or omission on the seller’s side, the matter will likewise be handled in accordance with Catawiki’s applicable policies and procedures.

By placing a bid, the buyer agrees to check and comply with all applicable import regulations, customs requirements, taxes, duties, and fees in their country.

The seller cannot be held responsible for customs delays, import refusals, additional charges, or delivery problems resulting from local regulations or circumstances beyond the seller’s reasonable control, subject to Catawiki’s applicable policies and applicable law.

Orders may be cancelled if an appropriate shipping service is unavailable or if shipping or import conditions cannot be met, subject to Catawiki’s applicable policies and procedures.

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