Table clock - Diamond - Plastic, Steel - 1950-1960 - Space age Clock






Holds a bachelor's degree in history of art and architecture, with 12 years of experience in decorative arts.
€1 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143634 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Diamond Space Age desk clock from Shanghai, China, dating to circa 1950–1960, with a metal trim and plastic housing, battery-powered electric movement, dimensions 25 × 10 × 5 cm, weight about 1 kg, in good used condition with minor signs of age and no striking mechanism.
Description from the seller
A beautiful and striking vintage mantel clock in the characteristic Space Age style, featuring a rectangular case, a glossy chrome surround and a distinctive dial with an integrated date display.
This clock originates from Shanghai, China, as clearly stated on the dial with the text SHANGHAI, CHINA and Chinese characters. Above the date window there is a stylized diamond symbol, from which the clock derives its recognizable Diamond look.
The design reflects the futuristic styling of the sixties and seventies, a period when geometric shapes, chrome accents and innovative time indications played an important role in interior design.
## Design and styling
What makes this clock special is the combination of a clean, almost architectural design with several ways to display time and date.
The wide horizontal case has a glossy silver-toned metal surround, combined with a black back housing and a black base. This creates a beautiful contrast between the light dial, the dark details and the reflective metal edges.
The dial features a minimalist design with fine horizontal lines, square hour markers and striking, modern-shaped numerals at the positions 12, 3 and 9.
The black hands have an elegant geometric design. The gold-colored center adds a subtle accent.
On the right there is a prominent, separate framed mechanical date window, in which the date is shown in large white numerals on a black background. In the photos the number 7 is visible.
This calendar mechanism gives the clock an extra technical and decorative character.
## Special details
An interesting detail is the small blue window under the hands. It contains an additional indication with numbers, contributing to the technical character of the dial.
On the back there are various metal control knobs, adjustment options and a ribbed set wheel. A sliding control is also visible.
The back has a characteristic black housing with a recessed control section and ventilated openings. These details make the clock interesting also from a technical and collector's perspective.
## Provenance and style
- **Brand/logo:** Diamond symbol on the dial
- **Origin:** Shanghai, China
- **Period:** presumably the second half of the 20th century, circa 1960s–1970s
- **Style:** Space Age, retro, mid-century modern
- **Type:** freestanding mantel clock / desk clock with calendar function
- **Movement:** mechanical-looking, with manual setting provisions
- **Materials:** metal surround, plastic housing, glass or transparent front plate
- **Colors:** silver-color, black, cream and subtle gold-color accents
The dating is an estimate based on design and construction.
A beautiful and striking vintage mantel clock in the characteristic Space Age style, featuring a rectangular case, a glossy chrome surround and a distinctive dial with an integrated date display.
This clock originates from Shanghai, China, as clearly stated on the dial with the text SHANGHAI, CHINA and Chinese characters. Above the date window there is a stylized diamond symbol, from which the clock derives its recognizable Diamond look.
The design reflects the futuristic styling of the sixties and seventies, a period when geometric shapes, chrome accents and innovative time indications played an important role in interior design.
## Design and styling
What makes this clock special is the combination of a clean, almost architectural design with several ways to display time and date.
The wide horizontal case has a glossy silver-toned metal surround, combined with a black back housing and a black base. This creates a beautiful contrast between the light dial, the dark details and the reflective metal edges.
The dial features a minimalist design with fine horizontal lines, square hour markers and striking, modern-shaped numerals at the positions 12, 3 and 9.
The black hands have an elegant geometric design. The gold-colored center adds a subtle accent.
On the right there is a prominent, separate framed mechanical date window, in which the date is shown in large white numerals on a black background. In the photos the number 7 is visible.
This calendar mechanism gives the clock an extra technical and decorative character.
## Special details
An interesting detail is the small blue window under the hands. It contains an additional indication with numbers, contributing to the technical character of the dial.
On the back there are various metal control knobs, adjustment options and a ribbed set wheel. A sliding control is also visible.
The back has a characteristic black housing with a recessed control section and ventilated openings. These details make the clock interesting also from a technical and collector's perspective.
## Provenance and style
- **Brand/logo:** Diamond symbol on the dial
- **Origin:** Shanghai, China
- **Period:** presumably the second half of the 20th century, circa 1960s–1970s
- **Style:** Space Age, retro, mid-century modern
- **Type:** freestanding mantel clock / desk clock with calendar function
- **Movement:** mechanical-looking, with manual setting provisions
- **Materials:** metal surround, plastic housing, glass or transparent front plate
- **Colors:** silver-color, black, cream and subtle gold-color accents
The dating is an estimate based on design and construction.
