Clock - Columbia Caffè – Large 36 cm Italian Advertising...

Vintage Italian Coffee Advertising – 1970s Retro Design – Made in Italy A beautiful and highly decorative large-format Italian advertising wall clock, manufactured by Costruzioni Orologerie Donzelli, Florence, Italy, for Columbia Caffè – “Miscele di Caffè pregiati”. Dating stylistically to the 1970s, this clock is an attractive example of Italian commercial advertising design, combining an elegant textured dial, distinctive period typography, warm retro colours and a generously proportioned circular case. With its impressive 36 cm diameter, original German Junghans quartz movement and beautifully preserved advertising graphics, this clock represents an appealing combination of vintage Italian design, coffee culture and European clockmaking. Originally intended as a practical advertising accessory for commercial interiors, clocks of this kind were particularly well suited to cafés, coffee bars, restaurants and other establishments where a functional timepiece could simultaneously promote a brand. Today, it is equally attractive as a collectible advertising object or a decorative addition to a vintage kitchen, café, office, living room or retro-inspired interior. Design – Colours, Typography and Decorative Details The most distinctive feature of this clock is its beautifully designed circular dial, finished in a warm cream/ivory colour. The entire surface features an intricate, repeating wave-pattern texture, creating an elegant optical effect reminiscent of the decorative geometric motifs popular in Italian commercial interiors during the 1960s and 1970s. The delicate, closely spaced undulating lines add depth and visual movement to the dial, particularly when viewed from different angles or under changing lighting conditions. The lower section is dominated by the original COLUMBIA advertising logo, approximately 18 cm wide. Its distinctive vintage typography features large, bold, slightly inclined letters with a warm pale-yellow interior and a deep forest-green outline. This elegant combination of cream, yellow, dark green and chocolate brown is particularly characteristic of the warm colour palettes associated with 1970s Italian commercial design. Above the centre of the dial appears the original advertising inscription: “Miscele di Caffè pregiati” Translated into English as “Blends of Fine Coffees”. The slogan is rendered in elegant black cursive lettering, providing an attractive stylistic contrast with the bold Columbia logo below. Dial and Hands The clock features a clean, minimalist arrangement of dark brown hour markers, with distinctive double-line markers at the four principal positions and fine circular minute markers distributed around the dial. The hour and minute hands are finished in dark brown, while the slender seconds hand has a delicate pinkish metallic appearance. This restrained arrangement allows the decorative dial and original Columbia advertising graphics to remain the principal visual features. Case and Domed Front Cover The large circular case is manufactured in dark chocolate-brown plastic, creating a harmonious contrast with the lighter dial. The slim outer bezel gives the clock a clean and balanced appearance, while the substantial side profile provides an attractive sense of depth. A particularly appealing characteristic is the convex, domed transparent front cover, which gives the dial a subtle magnifying effect and adds to the clock's characteristic vintage appearance. When viewed from the side, the combination of the rounded front, deep brown case and softly patterned dial creates an elegant and distinctive silhouette. With a 36 cm diameter and approximately 5 cm depth, this is a generously proportioned advertising clock with considerable decorative presence. Columbia Caffè – Italian Coffee Advertising Heritage The Columbia name belongs to the tradition of Italian coffee advertising and roasting culture. One historically documented Italian coffee business bearing this name was Torrefazione Columbia, established in Livorno, Tuscany, in 1946 by the Pieri family. The company developed over the following decades and inaugurated a new production facility in Livorno in 1973. Its history later became connected with the development of the Italian Cellini coffee brand. However, several Italian coffee businesses have used the Columbia name, and the exact relationship between this particular advertising clock and any specific roasting company has not been conclusively established. The original inscription “Miscele di Caffè pregiati” and the large Columbia logo illustrate the tradition of branded advertising objects that once furnished Italian cafés and commercial premises. Such clocks combined everyday functionality with highly visible promotional graphics, making them interesting surviving examples of Italian commercial culture and graphic design. Manufacturer – Costruzioni Orologerie Donzelli, Firenze Manufactured by Costruzioni Orologerie Donzelli, Florence, Italy, this clock combines Italian advertising aesthetics with a reliable German quartz movement. Its design reflects the taste for decorative graphics, rounded forms and warm colour combinations associated with Italian interiors of the 1970s. The large circular format, wave-patterned dial and carefully coordinated colours make it particularly appealing to collectors of vintage advertising clocks and retro commercial furnishings. Original Junghans Quartz W737 – Made in Germany An important feature of this example is that it still retains its original Junghans Quartz W737 movement, Made in Germany. Junghans is one of Germany's most established clock and watch manufacturers, internationally recognised for its long history of precision timekeeping. The W737 is a battery-operated quartz mechanism, with its original identification markings clearly visible on the rear of the clock. Retaining the original movement is an appealing characteristic, particularly compared with vintage advertising clocks whose mechanisms have been replaced with modern generic quartz units. Fully Functional – Extensively Tested The clock is completely functional and has been tested for more than one month. During this extended testing period: The original Junghans quartz movement operated correctly. The hour, minute and seconds hands functioned properly. The clock maintained good time. No operational problems were observed. The movement is powered by one 1.5 V AA / LR6 battery. The original movement, adjustment wheel, battery compartment and manufacturer's markings are clearly documented in the photographs. The exact production year has not been established. The 1970s dating is an approximate stylistic attribution, based on the overall design, advertising graphics, materials and colours, rather than a confirmed manufacturing date. Technical Specifications Advertising brand: Columbia Caffè Manufacturer: Costruzioni Orologerie Donzelli Manufacturer's location: Florence, Italy Country: Italy Estimated period: 1970s, approximately 1970–1980 Type: Vintage advertising wall clock Diameter: approximately 36 cm Depth: approximately 5 cm Case material: dark brown plastic Rear panel: cream-coloured plastic Dial colour: cream/ivory with repeating wave-pattern texture Advertising logo: Columbia, approximately 18 cm wide Logo colours: pale yellow and dark green Advertising inscription: “Miscele di Caffè pregiati” Hour and minute hands: dark brown Seconds hand: pinkish metallic finish Front protection: convex, domed transparent cover Movement: original Junghans Quartz W737 Movement origin: Made in Germany Power supply: one 1.5 V AA / LR6 battery Working condition: fully operational, tested for over one month The clock is in good vintage condition, with sign of its age,. The front presents particularly well, with the original decorative dial, advertising graphics and colours remaining attractive and clearly visible. The cream-coloured wave-patterned surface retains its distinctive appearance, while the Columbia logo and cursive inscription remain well defined. The dark brown circular case and domed front cover give the clock an elegant overall presentation. The rear cream-coloured panel shows visible age-related marks and paint stains, as documented in the photographs. These imperfections are located on the back and do not affect the frontal presentation or the functioning of the clock. As an authentic vintage item, minor traces of age and previous use should be considered consistent with its history. All photographs show the actual clock offered for sale and form an integral part of the description. Important Wall-Mounting Recommendation Although the original Junghans movement is equipped with a small integrated hanging loop, I recommend using an alternative, suitably secure wall-mounting method rather than supporting the entire clock solely by the movement's hanging bracket. Given the clock's relatively large diameter and vintage construction, this precaution is intended to ensure more secure support and avoid unnecessary mechanical stress on the original quartz mechanism. The buyer should select an appropriate installation method according to the clock's construction and the type of wall. An Attractive Example of Vintage Italian Advertising Design This Columbia advertising wall clock is more than an everyday timekeeping instrument. Its large 36 cm diameter, original dark green and yellow advertising graphics, elegantly textured cream dial, deep chocolate-brown case and distinctive domed front make it an attractive decorative object with a strong vintage identity. It is especially suitable for collectors and enthusiasts of: Italian vintage advertising and commercial memorabilia Coffee and espresso-related collectibles Original café and bar furnishings 1970s retro interior design Vintage advertising wall clocks Italian graphic and industrial design Junghans quartz timepieces Decorative vintage objects A beautiful combination of Italian coffee advertising, characteristic 1970s aesthetics and original German quartz clockmaking, retaining its original mechanism and fully operational after more than one month of testing. Original vintage item: This is an authentic vintage advertising clock, not a modern reproduction. Minor signs of age, use, surface imperfections and material variations may be present and are consistent with vintage objects. Dating: The proposed 1970s period is an approximate stylistic attribution. The precise year of manufacture has not been independently documented. Functional testing: The clock has been tested for more than one month and was fully operational at the time of listing. The description refers to its observed condition during testing and does not constitute a guarantee of future performance. Original mechanism: The original Junghans Quartz W737 movement is installed and functional. No claim is made that the mechanism has been professionally serviced or restored. Battery: The battery shown in the photographs is for demonstration purposes and is not included in the sale. Colour representation: Colours may vary slightly depending on lighting conditions, photographic equipment, screen calibration and individual display settings. Photographs: All photographs depict the actual item offered for sale and form an essential part of its description. Please examine them carefully before bidding. Vintage materials: Due to the age of the clock, original plastic components and other materials should be handled with care. Avoid excessive pressure, impacts, direct prolonged sunlight and extreme temperatures. Installation: Wall-mounting accessories are not included. The buyer is responsible for selecting and installing an appropriate and secure mounting system. Professional packaging: The clock will be carefully protected and professionally prepared for shipment, using protective cushioning materials and a double-box packaging method to reduce the risk of damage during transport. By placing a bid, the buyer confirms that they have carefully reviewed all photographs, read the complete description and accepted the condition of the item as shown and described.

Estimate:$168.55

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