This Nixie Tube Clock Is a Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece

As the name suggests, “mid-century modern” refers to the design aesthetic that was contemporary in the middle of the 20th century. It’s generally characterized by minimalism, which stood in stark contrast to the elaborate style of the art deco period in the early 20th century. These days mid-century modern is a popular style for home decor and furniture, and AceSound has a tutorial on how to build a Nixie tube clock that fits perfectly into that design philosophy.

AceSound’s Mid Century Modern Nixie Clock is beautifully designed, and genuinely looks like something that would have been produced in that era. AceSound designed this clock for a friend, and was intentionally trying to avoid the steampunk aesthetic that is so common among other Nixie tube clocks. With its unique CNC-routed mahogany enclosure, stylish ZM-560 Nixie tubes, and factory-look design details, AceSound’s design has definitely accomplished that.

To replicated this build, however, you’re going to have to do some searching to find the appropriate components. ZM-650 Nixie tubes, like all other Nixie tubes, haven’t been produced in several decades, which means you’ll need to find old stock. AceSound also upcycled the wood for the enclosure from an old microscope case, though you can certainly use new wood. Once you have those, the tubes will be controlled by a PIC16F microcontroller, and driven by a high voltage Nixie tube power supply. AceSound’s control code was written in BASIC, which makes this project even more unique. The result is a Nixie tube clock that really stands out from the crowd.