1907/1948, acrylic glass, metal hands, diameter approx. 95 cm. (MHA)

No. 14 from the limited edition of 50, with LED light and changing colours.

With original certificate of authenticity.

A document of more recent Viennese history, the NORMALZEIT Cube Clock was originally installed in 1907 under Emperor Francis Joseph in Vienna, the first example being erected at the crossing of Opernring/Kärntnerstraße. However, it was then still controlled by electrical impulses coming from a so-called master clock installed in a nearby advertising column. On 1 May 1910, Standard European Time (CET) was introduced as standard time (“Normalzeit”) in Austria, and clocks were put back by 5 minutes and 19 seconds.

“The term “Normalzeit” for standard time is a Viennese invention,” explains Christof Stein in 2021, the guardian of “Normalzeit” in his function as owner of the brand. Over the past 110 years, Viennese Cube Clocks turned from plain chronometers into orientation points, landmarks, urban furniture, and eventually design objects. This “Normalzeit” dial from 1948 comes with its original drive, integrated clock-pulse generator, and Perspex case (around 1907 the case was originally made of milk glass). It demonstrates how ideas of time and time concepts can change, especially in times like these. A piece of contemporary history on the wall…