Desk clock - SIGNAL / BLESSING 171950 – 1972 Space Age Spherical Mechanical Alarm Clock – Apple Green & Yellow – Space Age Plastic, Metal - 1970-1980 - Serviced

Original Blessing-Werke Mechanical Movement – November 1972 – Apple Green & Yellow – Fully Functional – Cleaned & Lubricated – Luminous Dial

A Remarkable Expression of 1970s Space Age Design

An eye-catching original SIGNAL / BLESSING mechanical alarm clock, model 171950, manufactured in West Germany in November 1972, as indicated by the date stamped on its original Blessing-Werke movement.

With its perfectly rounded silhouette, vibrant apple-green body, contrasting sunshine-yellow dial and transparent domed front cover, this clock beautifully captures the optimism, experimentation and futuristic imagination of early 1970s European industrial design.

More than a practical alarm clock, it is a wonderful decorative object that immediately evokes the Space Age and Pop Art interiors of the period.

The original mechanical movement has been disassembled, cleaned and lubricated. Both the clock and its mechanical alarm are functioning.

Design – A Little Piece of the Space Age

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, designers increasingly moved away from traditional rectangular clock cases, exploring spherical shapes, moulded plastics, vivid colours and unconventional everyday objects.

Inspired by the Space Age, the arrival of new materials and the fascination with futuristic living, household accessories became increasingly playful, sculptural and expressive.

This SIGNAL clock is an excellent example of that design philosophy.

Its almost spherical housing resembles a small futuristic capsule or miniature space pod.

The glossy apple-green plastic body is beautifully complemented by a bright sunshine-yellow dial, creating a particularly cheerful and unmistakably 1970s colour combination.

The clock's sculptural shape looks attractive from virtually every angle.

The rounded housing appears almost as a single continuous volume, while the transparent convex front cover completes the spherical appearance.

A contrasting yellow alarm button emerges from the top of the case, becoming an integral part of the design rather than merely a functional component.

The recessed rear section accommodates the traditional mechanical winding and adjustment controls, cleverly concealing the technical elements behind the futuristic exterior.

The result is a charming combination of traditional German clockmaking and experimental 1970s industrial design.

The Dial – Graphic Personality and Vintage Luminescence

The vibrant yellow circular dial is another particularly attractive feature.

Large, stylised black Arabic numerals provide excellent readability and reflect the playful graphic typography associated with the Pop Art era.

The black hour and minute hands incorporate luminous inserts, complemented by luminous hour markers.

Together, these details produce an attractive green luminous effect in darkness, as illustrated in the photographs.

The contrasting yellow, black and green colours create a distinctive visual identity, making the clock a particularly decorative example of 1970s design.

Important information about the luminous effect:

The hands and hour markers contain vintage luminous material.

The photograph taken in darkness demonstrates their luminous appearance under the photographic conditions used.

The brightness and duration of the glow may vary depending on previous light exposure, ambient conditions and the age of the luminous material.

This is not an electrically illuminated dial, and no guarantee is provided regarding the intensity or duration of its luminosity.

Blessing-Werke – Traditional West German Clockmaking

Although the exterior reflects the futuristic design trends of the 1970s, inside this clock is an original mechanical movement manufactured by Blessing-Werke, West Germany.

Blessing was associated with German mechanical clock and alarm-clock production, representing a tradition of precision-engineered movements for domestic timepieces.

The movement is constructed with traditional metal components, including brass plates, a mainspring, gears and a mechanical regulating system.

Unlike modern quartz movements, it operates without electricity or batteries.

The mechanical construction is particularly interesting because it contrasts with the colourful and modern appearance of the outer case.

The original movement is stamped with a production date of November 1972, providing a valuable historical reference for this particular example.

The internal mechanism has been photographed separately, allowing collectors to appreciate its mechanical construction and original manufacturing details.

Mechanical Movement – Servicing & Functionality

This clock has received attention to its original mechanical mechanism.

The clock has been disassembled, cleaned and lubricated.

Following servicing, the following functions have been checked:

Mechanical winding and operation

Clock timekeeping

Mechanical alarm activation

Rear adjustment controls

General operation of the original movement

Both the clock and the mechanical alarm are functioning.

The typical ticking sound produced by the mechanical escapement is completely normal and part of the character of this type of vintage clock.

As with all traditional mechanical timepieces, timekeeping accuracy can be affected by winding, positioning, temperature and the age of the mechanism.

A rear-mounted regulation adjustment allows the running rate to be adjusted when necessary.

The mechanical alarm produces the characteristic audible sound associated with traditional spring-driven alarm clocks.

Original Mechanical Movement – Visible in the Video

A detailed demonstration video accompanies this listing.

Watch the operating and inspection video:

https://youtu.be/bTNLlUcOzdY

The video first presents the clock fully assembled, with its spherical case closed, allowing viewers to appreciate its original appearance, design and overall presentation.

The demonstration then continues with the mechanical movement exposed, offering a closer look at the internal construction and operation of this fascinating German-made timepiece.

This provides prospective buyers with additional visual documentation beyond the photographs.

The video forms an important part of the description and should be viewed before bidding.

Technical Specifications

Brand: SIGNAL / BLESSING

Model: 171950

Movement manufacturer: Blessing-Werke

Country of manufacture: West Germany

Production date: November 1972, as stamped on the original movement

Period: 1970s

Design style: Space Age / Pop Art / Retro Futurism

Type: Mechanical tabletop alarm clock

Movement: Original mechanical wind-up movement

Power supply: Mechanical – no batteries or electricity required

Functions: Timekeeping and mechanical alarm

Case material: Moulded plastic

Case colour: Glossy apple green

Dial colour: Bright yellow

Numerals: Large black Arabic numerals

Hands: Black with luminous inserts

Hour markers: Luminous details

Front cover: Transparent convex plastic dome

Approximate dimensions: 11 × 11 cm, height approximately 12 cm

Vintage Condition

The clock is presented in attractive vintage condition, retaining its characteristic original colour combination and spherical appearance.

The green plastic housing is complete, without cracks or breaks.

The matching removable green rear cover is present.

The yellow dial, black hands and mechanical movement are retained.

The transparent convex front cover shows age-related surface marks and vintage wear, visible in the photographs.

As expected from an object manufactured in 1972, minor scratches, surface marks, traces of handling and other cosmetic imperfections may be present.

These characteristics are consistent with its age and use and contribute to its authentic vintage character.

The movement has been cleaned and lubricated and both the timekeeping and alarm functions have been tested.

Please carefully examine all photographs, including the detailed images of the disassembled components and exposed mechanical movement, to assess the condition of this vintage item.

A Collectible Piece of 1970s German Design

This SIGNAL / BLESSING clock brings together several qualities appreciated by collectors of vintage decorative objects:

Its almost spherical Space Age silhouette, the unmistakable apple-green and yellow colour combination, its bold Pop Art-inspired dial, the original German mechanical movement and its documented November 1972 production date.

It makes an excellent decorative addition to a collection of vintage clocks, Space Age accessories, 1970s furniture or retro-futuristic design objects.

A charming piece of early 1970s industrial design, combining playful aesthetics with traditional mechanical craftsmanship.
This is an original vintage mechanical clock manufactured more than 50 years ago, not a modern precision timekeeping instrument.

The movement has been cleaned and lubricated, and both the clock and the mechanical alarm have been tested and are functioning.

However, due to its age and mechanical construction, absolute timekeeping accuracy, continuous uninterrupted operation over an indefinite period and modern performance standards cannot be guaranteed.

Minor variations in running rate, mechanical ticking, vibrations and characteristic operating sounds are normal for this type of vintage mechanical movement and should not automatically be interpreted as defects.

Mechanical clocks may require occasional winding, regulation or routine maintenance.

The alarm is a traditional mechanical alarm, and its operation and timing should be understood within the tolerances of a vintage mechanism.

Condition, Photographs & Video

This is a genuine vintage item and is offered in its present condition, as documented in the listing.

All photographs show the actual clock offered for sale.

Detailed photographs of the disassembled components and the internal mechanical movement are provided for inspection and documentation.

The clock will be supplied assembled, not disassembled as shown in the technical photographs.

Normal signs of age and use, including small scratches, surface marks, cosmetic wear and ageing of plastic components, are consistent with the vintage nature of the object.

Photographs taken under different lighting conditions may show slight colour variations.

The luminous dial photograph demonstrates the luminous effect under specific conditions and does not guarantee a particular brightness or duration.

The video is provided as additional documentation of the clock's condition and tested operation at the time of recording.

Packing & Shipping

The clock will be carefully prepared for shipment, with particular attention to protecting the transparent domed cover, the mechanical movement and the vintage plastic housing.

Protective wrapping, cushioning materials and suitable packaging will be used, including double boxing where appropriate.

Please ensure that the shipping address and contact information registered with Catawiki are complete and accurate before payment and shipment.

The seller will use the shipping details provided through the official Catawiki order system.

Any customs duties, import taxes or local charges applicable in the destination country are the buyer's responsibility.

Buyer Acknowledgement

By placing a bid, the buyer acknowledges having carefully reviewed all photographs, watched the demonstration video and read the complete description, including the stated vintage condition, mechanical characteristics, cosmetic imperfections, functional testing and seller terms.