NIXIE Tube Clocks


These are new handmade retro style NIXIE tube clocks. NIXIE indicator tubes were used before LED and LCD displays became available. They are no longer manufactured but new old stock is still available. The cathodes in the gas filled tube are shaped like numerals. Applying high voltage to one cathode surrounds it with an orange glow discharge. One of the difficulties using NIXIE tubes is that they require 170 volts to operate, which makes the driving circuits rather complicated. In these modern times when much easier to use display components are available, building a display with NIXIE tubes is crazy. But it is the beauty of the orange glow and vintage technology that overcome the pure nuts-and-bolts science type of rationality.

These clocks and watches are some examples. More to come later.

NIXIE Wrist watch

Here is a new NIXIE watch. Great for parties, events etc. A nice collectors item too. Maybe even for everyday use. It is very difficult to make such a small watch with NIXIE tubes, hence they are much more expensive than full size NIXIE clocks. Because of the requirements of the tubes the battery lifetime can never be as long as of the lifetime of batteries in reqular watches with mechanical or LCD displays. There are very good reasons why NIXIE tubes have not been used commercially for over 30 years!

Only a very limited number of these watches will be made.






  • A case made of aluminium with a polycarbonate front glass

  • Width (with battery): 63 mm, Depth: 37 mm, Height (from front glass to bottom): 28 mm, Weight (w/o band): 60 g

  • Two IN-17 tubes

  • Two Batteries required: CR1216 or CR1220 (3 V) for the logic, 23A (12 V) for driving the tubes. Tip: both batteries are available cheaply on Ebay.

  • A replaceable watch band. The width is 18-19 mm.

  • A magnet sensitive switch for time setting. The time is set by operating the switch with a magnet (a small neodymium magnet included).

  • 24 h or 12 h format. The watch is switched to the 12 h format by activating the magnet sensitive switch while placing the 3 V battery in its holder.

  • The watch is best worn on the left wrist. The right hand version has the battery case on the other side.

  • Raising the hand activates the display for few seconds. The hours are shown first, followed by the minutes. There is not a blank period between the hours and the minutes unless the same number is shown on the hours and the minutes consecutively on the same tube. In the latter case there is a very short blank period.



    • Contact





    NIXIE Tube Clock with a glass dome


  • A glass dome case with a wooden base

  • Width: 107 mm, Height: 120 mm

  • 12 h or 24 h format

  • NOS Russian IN-8 tubes

  • Battery back-up in case of power failure

  • One push button for setting time

  • Power requirement: 9...12 V DC, 40 mA (power supply not included)

  • CAUTION: High voltage is generated on the circuit and it gives a nasty shock if certain parts on the PCB are touched.



    • Contact





    NIXIE Clock with Seconds Display



  • Width: 141 mm, Depth: 109 mm, Height: 73 mm

  • 12 h or 24 h format

  • NOS Russian IN-14 tubes

  • Battery back-up in case of power failure

  • One push button for setting time instead of the usual two buttons

  • Input for an infrared motion sensor

  • The tubes are shut off if the sensor has not detected motion for three hours

  • A switch for disabling the motion detection function and the time-out timer

  • Two multiplexes for more brightness and less flickering

  • Power requirement: 9...12 V DC, 40 mA









    • Which one do you think looks like a real number instead of E backwards?

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