Walnut wood Nixie-style tube clock, 6 digits - ANODIA
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Walnut wood Nixie effect Time is displayed as if in a 1960s laboratory. The ANODIA Nixie-effect tube clock lines up six square modules in which hours, minutes, and seconds light up in orange digits, with that warm, slightly vaporous glow that made vintage display tubes legendary. Each module is framed in walnut wood at the corners, assembled with small, visible black screws, and the entire unit rests on a dark wooden base. At 33 cm long, it is a true display piece that asserts its character on a desk, console table, or bookshelf. Let us be clear: these are not real gas-filled Nixie tubes, but transparent tubes lit by LEDs that faithfully reproduce their aesthetic. A real advantage: no high voltage, modest power consumption, and durable LEDs. Retro at heart, contemporary in its technique, ANODIA is the clock for lovers of fine mechanics and industrial design.
The finish
From Nixie tubes to Nixie effect
Real Nixie tubes appeared in the late 1950s. Inside a glass bulb filled with a rare gas, primarily neon, ten cathodes shaped like digits were stacked. By applying a high voltage—around 170 volts—to one of them, the gas would ionize around the chosen digit, producing that characteristic orange glow. They were found in voltmeters, desktop calculators, and scientific instruments until they were replaced by LED and liquid crystal displays in the 1970s.
The ANODIA clock recreates this aesthetic with current technology: LEDs light up digits placed inside transparent tubes, recreating the depth and warmth of the original display. No high voltage, no old tubes that have become rare and fragile: just the retro look with the serenity of modern lighting. The walnut wood, a dense essence with deep brown grain, brings the warm touch of vintage measuring equipment casings.
Why you'll love it
The glow of laboratories of yore
Imagine a 1960s control room: instrument bays, dials, bakelite knobs, and everywhere those orange digits floating behind glass. Nixie displays accompanied the first computers, computing centers, and physics laboratories. Their glow became, for a whole generation of engineers and technology enthusiasts, the face of progress.
ANODIA brings this atmosphere to your desk. The walnut wood softens the whole, the black screws recall the artisanal assembly of measuring devices, and the six orange digits tick off the seconds with soothing regularity. In the dim light of a library or office in the evening, the clock becomes a lantern of time, both retro and profoundly current. An object for those who love not only to know the time but to watch it pass.
Commissioning in 4 steps
Original Nixie tubes or Nixie effect?
| Criteria | ANODIA Clock (Nixie effect) | Original Nixie tubes |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | LEDs illuminating transparent tubes | Rare gas ionized around cathodes |
| Operating voltage | Low voltage | High voltage (approx. 170 V) |
| Tube availability | N/A | Old tubes, now rare |
| Digit color | Orange, color-changing function advertised | Orange only |
| Aesthetic | Retro, deep orange digits | Authentic retro |
| Finish | Walnut wood, black screws | Varies by manufacture |
Good to know: the manufacturer announces a color-changing function; the photos primarily show the classic orange display, with only one showing a purple tint. Orange remains the color that best restores the spirit of Nixie tubes. A battery is included with the clock according to the manufacturer. Find other clocks and instruments in our time and weather collection.
The Lab also offers other Nixie-effect clocks, more compact and with multicolor lighting. ANODIA stands out for its large format, its walnut-framed square modules, and its fidelity to the original orange glow.
Advice: dust the tubes with a soft brush or blower, and the wood with a dry cloth. Once or twice a year, a drop of wood oil on a cloth will nourish the walnut and revive its grain—without ever touching the electronic parts.
Decor tip: place the clock in front of a dark wall or on a dark wooden shelf; the orange digits gain depth, like on an old instrument dashboard.
Technical specifications
| Type | Table tube clock, Nixie effect |
| Display | Digital, 6 digits (HH MM SS) |
| Technology | LEDs in transparent tubes (no real Nixie tubes) |
| Digit color | Orange; color change advertised by manufacturer |
| Finish | Walnut |
| Materials | Wood and metal |
| Assembly | Square modules, wood frames at corners, black screws |
| Length | 330 mm |
| Width | 80 mm |
| Height | 90 mm |
| Weight | 700 g |
| Battery | Included |
| Main power | Not communicated |
Precautions: use only the power supply provided by the manufacturer and described in the manual. Do not expose the clock to humidity, splashing water, or heat sources, and do not attempt to open the modules. The transparent tubes are fragile: avoid impacts. The battery must be kept out of reach of children; in case of ingestion, consult a doctor immediately.
A gift for lovers of fine techniques
Engineer, electronics expert, vintage equipment collector, industrial design fan, or simple watch enthusiast: ANODIA is a gift that speaks to everyone who loves objects with character. It elegantly marks a birthday, a promotion, moving into a new office, or retirement.
Its large format and orange glow also make it a superb corporate gift for an engineering firm, a laboratory, or a design studio: placed at the reception or in a meeting room, it immediately sets the tone of a place that values well-made technique.
To complete the world of someone passionate about the passage of time, explore our watchmaking department or the curiosities of The Lab, our collection of scientific objects.
Frequently asked questions
Are these real Nixie tubes?
No, and we prefer to state this clearly. Real Nixie tubes are bulbs filled with rare gas, powered by a high voltage of approximately 170 volts, and have not been mass-produced for decades. The ANODIA clock uses transparent tubes lit by LEDs that faithfully reproduce their aesthetic: orange digits, an impression of depth, and a warm glow. This choice has real advantages: no high voltage, modest power consumption, and durable LEDs that do not wear out like the cathodes of original tubes. You enjoy the retro look without the technical constraints of vintage components.
What are the dimensions of the clock?
The clock measures 330 mm long, 80 mm wide, and 90 mm high, with a weight of 700 g. It is a generous size, significantly larger than most desk clocks, making it a true display object. It ideally finds its place on a clear desk, entryway console, buffet, or a sufficiently deep bookshelf. Its weight ensures good stability. Before ordering, we advise you to check the available space, taking into account the space needed to connect the power supply at the back or side.
How is the clock powered?
The manufacturer indicates that a battery is included with the clock; it likely serves to keep the time in memory. The main power supply method for the light display, however, is not specified in the information we have. We therefore invite you to strictly follow the provided manual for connection and to use only the power supply provided by the manufacturer. LED lighting operates on low voltage, without the high voltage required for original Nixie tubes. If you have any doubts before purchasing, our customer service is at your disposal.
Can I change the color of the digits?
The manufacturer announces a color-changing function. The product photos mainly show an orange display, with one showing a purple tint, suggesting that other colors are accessible. The details of the available colors and how to select them will be specified in the manual provided with the clock. Our advice: orange remains the shade that best restores the spirit of original Nixie tubes and the one that harmonizes most naturally with walnut wood. Other colors can bring a touch of occasional whimsy for an evening or a change of mood.
How is it different from your other Nixie-effect clocks?
The Lab offers several Nixie-effect clocks, each with its own personality. ANODIA is the largest: 33 cm long and 700 g, with six square modules framed in walnut wood and assembled with visible black screws for an assertive industrial look. It highlights the orange glow of original displays. Our other models are more compact, with tubes aligned on a base and more pronounced multicolor lighting, as well as additional display functions. If you are looking primarily for a large-format retro piece with an authentic look, ANODIA is the most faithful choice.
How do I set the time?
Setting is done using the clock's controls, according to the procedure described in the provided manual. Generally, you set the hours, then the minutes, then the seconds. The six-digit display (hours, minutes, seconds) allows you to verify the accuracy of the setting at a glance, for example by synchronizing it with your phone's time at the turn of a full minute. The included battery likely keeps the time in memory. If the time shifts after a power cut, check the battery status and redo the setting.
How do I maintain the walnut clock?
Unplug the clock before any maintenance. Dust the transparent tubes with a soft brush or blower, without product, so as not to scratch or dull them. The walnut wood is maintained with a dry, soft cloth; once or twice a year, a drop of wood oil applied to a cloth, then spread lightly, will nourish the wood and revive its grain. Never use water or household products, and avoid any contact with electronic parts. Place the clock away from direct sunlight, which could lighten the wood, and away from heat and humidity sources.
