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Recessed electric clock receptacles — new old stock AND modern-new from Leviton and Pass & Seymour

pam kueber - Updated: November 2, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

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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37 comments

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  1. Bonnie says

    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.

    • Lisa Compo says

      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.

      • Erik in Minneapolis says

        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.

        • pam kueber says

          Yes, my husband clued me into these types of extension cords.

          For example:

          And as you said, for lamps:

        • Jay says

          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.

  2. Eartha Kitsch says

    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!

  3. Susan Halla says

    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.

  4. Jeff K says

    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!

    • Carolyn says

      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!

  5. Stacy says

    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!

  6. Kelly Wittenauer says

    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!

  7. Jay says

    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.

  9. Lynne says

    I have one of these recessed plugs right above the closet doors in the master bedroom. A peculiar place, to my way of thinking.