Japanese pocket alarm clock – quartz – engraved folding case with crane and ear of corn motif

A pocket-sized travel alarm clock with a fully engraved case featuring ears of rice, insects, and a medallion with cranes over water.

The case opens to serve as a stand; inside is a quartz movement with an alarm function. A new battery has been installed.

The pocket alarm clock as a genre

Travel alarm clocks in folding cases were a standard item in Japan for decades—sturdy enough for a travel bag, small enough for the palm of your hand, and thanks to the folding mechanism, safe for the crystal. Unlike the simple versions found at every flea market, this piece belongs to the decorative class: the case is not merely lacquered, but engraved across its entire surface.

Such pieces were often sold as gift items and document a Japanese design philosophy that adorned even functional objects with pictorial motifs rather than keeping them purely utilitarian.

Design

The engraved surface follows a classic Japanese pictorial order: in the center sits a circular medallion with a scene of cranes over water and reeds; arranged around it are heavy, hanging ears of rice, along with two insects in the lower corners. The engraving is cut into a finely satin-finished, silvery base, causing the lines to flash brightly when the case is turned.

In contrast, the dial is emphatically simple: pure white with black Arabic numerals, a fine minute track with square markings at five-minute intervals, and a single red "12" placed as an orientation point. The hands are slender and black; the second hand is thin.

When opened, the alarm clock stands steadily on the rear shell; the front shell features a circular cutout that reveals the dial. Measuring 45.5 × 46.1 millimeters and weighing 53 grams, it fits into any jacket pocket.

Dating

The alarm clock bears no serial number or manufacturer's signature. The design, engraving style, and movement type attribute it to Japanese souvenir and giftware production.

Condition

The clock runs; a new battery is installed. The dial is well-preserved and shows only a few isolated small spots; all imprints are complete, and the hands are undamaged. The crystal is clear and without cracks.

The engraving is complete and sharp, with no signs of wear. The case shows minor handling marks on the edges; the hinge operates smoothly, and the folding mechanism snaps shut definitively.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical specifications

• Type: Pocket alarm clock in a folding case
• Movement: Quartz, battery-operated (new battery installed)
• Functions: Hour, minute, second, alarm
• Case: Metal, satin-finished, fully engraved
• Width: 45.5 mm
• Depth: 46.1 mm
• Height: 11.8 mm
• Dial diameter: 29.8 mm
• Weight: 53 g
• Dial: White with black numerals and a red 12
• Origin: Japan

Who is it for?

For travelers who do not want a glowing display on their bedside table. For collectors of Japanese commercial graphic design and metal engraving. And as a small gift that one picks up and turns in the hand before using.

Warranty (used)

This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects under the statutory warranty is 12 months from delivery.

Note on water resistance

The alarm clock is not water-resistant. It must not be exposed to water or moisture.