One of my favorite features in time capsule houses is the old clocks centered above the sink or above the dinette. Where I live, it’s not uncommon to see these old clocks plugged into a recessed wall plug — no visible or dangling electric cords. How did they do that: With recessed “electric clock receptacles” framed right into the soffits or walls.
Disclosure: ebay and Amazon links are affiliate links.
I was checking to see what old was new at warehouse full o’ New Old Stock hardware seller nomoredrama4me — whose warehouse full o’ wonders we have featured several times before — and I see that she has a few of these >> New Old Stock Electric Clock Receptacles for sale
. Please be aware: I have no idea whether these oldies are still to code — get with your own properly licensed professional to determine potential safety/code issues if in fact you are interested in installing one of these. Be Safe/Renovate Safe!
Immediate update: Howdy hudee: Allen says these are still made — and with three-prong — cool!:
and there’s another brand, Pass & Seymour here, too. Thanks, Allen!
Oh, and nomoredrama4me looks like she has some other new New Old Stock up since the last time I checked, too. I am guessing it’s going to take a while longer list all the its and bits in that warehouse.
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Pam,
for anyone worrying about code these are still made! here are some links for you.
https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-688-W-Recessed-Receptacle-Residential/dp/B000U3BVRS
https://www.kmelectric.com/pass-seymour-s3713-trw/
Built in clocks are some of my favorite features!
Well howdy hudee! Thanks for the tips, Allen!
I would prefer the old stock; probably better quality and was manufactured in the USA.
I’ll have one probably in a month installed in the ’70’s. We’re renovating our kitchen.
You are very welcome! Thanks again for all you do.
I have one of these recessed plugs right above the closet doors in the master bedroom. A peculiar place, to my way of thinking.
That is so cool I’m at a loss for words!
Wow, I guess in this digital and battery op. world electric clocks would be considered an anachronism. It took 13 years before I finally found the clock of my dreams – a GE Russell Wright clock. Long before every appliance had a digital clock you needed an electric clock on the kitchen wall or on the soffit over the sink. The ivory receptacle is sharp looking, mine is just metal that has been painted over numerous times.
There was one of these installed in the soffit above the kitchen sink where we lived in the ’90s. The house was constructed in the late ’50s. I’ve also seen some cool homes with clocks built right in!
Thank-you so much for this! I really love the old electric kitchen clocks but never liked the idea of the cord hanging down the wall. I know you can have them converted to battery, but oftentimes that means changing out the hands as well…thus losing some of the original character. I’m definitely getting one of these!
My (former) contractor was doing some electrical work in my 1955 kitchen – installing GFI outlets and some undercounter LED strip lighting – and couldn’t understand why I wanted to keep the outlet in the soffit that ran the electric clock. I believe he wanted to power the LED lighting from that circuit. Too bad! I made him find another way. I wasn’t about to get rid of that outlet – or my clock!
I’m sorry, I just have NOT been able to tell time via digital – too much math involved. Stove, nuke, coffeemaker – I have to “calculate” how much time I have to get things done. I look at a clock face – I know immediately whether I can can la-di-dah or kick it in the pants. And to look up – that’s where the clock goes – where you look!
Ach!
Oh my – these just bring up the string of arguments I would always have with my electrical contractor on the job site at my last job. I would specify “clock boxes” all the time when there was a piece of equipment that had one of those big, fat plugs so that the plug would be recessed and not get in the way. How many times out of 10 would they actually install one the first time? Maybe 1. How many times would they install it after I called them on their “oversight”? 10 out of 10.
I don’t suffer fools gladly. 😉
Anyway, FOR SURE these are still made today and still in use for all sorts of things.
I had no idea that these even existed! We’ve had all of our vintage clocks converted to battery operation – which is probably a bastardization but it solved the problem. Glad these exist though!
Glad you are back! We missed you, Eartha.
I have these on either side of the fireplace in my living room. The previous owner had them put in behind their lighted curio cabinets so the cabinets could sit flush against the wall.
Whoo Hoo what a great idea to make a note on my dream house plans. I think these could be useful in many spots, especially behind dressers. I dislike how much they have to stick out from the wall for the lamp plugs. Another great idea from the past to use now.
You don’t need recessed outlets to push your dresser closer to the wall.
Flat plug lamp cords are readily available. The cord comes out from the side of the slim profile plug, parallel to the wall and perpendicular to the prongs. They are available with the cord going straight down or at a 45 degree angle (so you can have two cords plugged in at the same outlet).
It’s very easy to replace the cord on a lamp.
Likewise, extension cords and power strips with flat plugs are also readily available.
Yes, my husband clued me into these types of extension cords.
For example:
And as you said, for lamps:
Hardware stores also stock just the flat plugs themselves (minus cords). I have had to resort to these numerous times to keep the lamp cord/plug from being crushed by furniture.
great idea!!!
Ours is situated right above our amoeba-shaped table and has an art deco styled Jadeite Telechron kitchen clock plugged in! I love that there’s no cord hanging down the wall! Glad to know that these are still made – they’re practical for a lot of applications.
Thanks for the info!
I have a number of these in my house. Usually about five feet high. They are useful for plugging in lights for hanging artwork, without having to space the paintings away from the wall for clearance.
I have an apple-shaped clock that has a long cord for if you don’t have one of these outlets, but there is a compartment that the cord can be tucked into if you do have one. My new (1965) house has one of these outlets in the soffit above the kitchen sink. When my sister noticed it, she found a 60s kitchen clock for me that matched my décor. I love it, but having a hard time hiding the cord with this one. I could shorten it, but hate to lose the versatility. My Dad helped to build homes in the late 50s and early 60s. He says nearly all houses had this type of outlet in the soffit above the kitchen sink.
These are available in Australia for our electrical systems installed properly they should not be seen behind the clock
When we moved into our 1959 ranch, my DH was repairing and replacing all the old outlets, and I caught him just as he was taking out the recessed clock outlet in the kitchen. It was perfectly located where you could see the clock from the kitchen sink, stove, and table. “No, no,” I said. “I will find a vintage clock for that spot some day. So he just repaired the outlet and let me hang a battery clock over it. Two years later (we retro-renovators have the patience of Job), I found a school-style clock (United Clock Corp., Brooklyn, NY) on the sale rack of my favorite consignment shop. Originally $50, it had been marked down to $3.75. Oh, and it was 50% off day, so I got it for $1.88 plus tax. All I had to do was touch up the wood with a little scratch cover, clean it, and hang it up. Here’s an almost identical one from eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1960s-United-Clock-Corp-597-Wall-Clock-Hardwood-Case-Brooklyn-New-York-/131293927169?hash=item1e91ba5701:g:pyAAAOSwDk5UEyz~
Gold star!
Thanks! I haven’t got one of those since first grade!
I feel like my kitchen (1948, remodeled in the 60’s) needs a clock over the sink, but it doesn’t have one. The wiring for the fluorescent lighting and the oven hood runs through the overhead cabinets.
We DO have this original kitchen clock, though. It’s built into the wall and would be difficult to get rid of if I wasn’t so fond of its continued effort. https://flic.kr/p/QRp2LW I think it was the thermostat for the original coal-fired furnace because it doesn’t control the temperature any longer. We thought it was broken for a while, but every time I was in the dining room I could hear this quiet electrical humming- it was the clock. I’m keeping it. I’d LOVE to have it wired to the furnace because the old round honeywell dial is starting not to work as well and I don’t want a digital one but I’m probably going to have to give in and get one to be more cost-effective. This clock-o-stat is not even in the same room as the honeywell thermostat.
Hi, I also found one in our kitchen and realized what it was!! My husband gave that “I have no idea, look.” So I told him and he said NO,way. I love the little finds in our 1965 Tri-level. As, I look for a retro clock, I have a mint green battery operated kitchen in its place. the hook is so innovative.
I have one of these in my kitchen, although I haven’t used it in all this time. My house have original copper accents (doorknobs, kitchen pulls and such) and I scored a copper kitchen clock whIch I need to refurbish. It will go on that wall along with my collection of copper molds, some where my mother’s and some are newer finds.
Please pardon all the spelling errors!
These are once again very popular for wall-mounted televisions — same need to recess the plug!