Lux Clock Mfg. Co. 'Minute Minder' Kitchen Timer

Story

Before the 1930s, home cooks relied on guesswork or pocket watches to time their baking. This rugged little cast-metal device was one of the very first dedicated 'Minute Minders' designed to sit on a kitchen counter or hang on a wall, bringing industrial-grade precision to the family kitchen.

Maker / Origin

The Lux Clock Manufacturing Company was founded by Paul Lux in 1912 in Waterbury, Connecticut, a city famous as the brass and clock-making capital of America. While they made millions of novelty clocks, their durable, spring-driven 'Minute Minder' timers became indispensable tools in mid-century American kitchens.

Condition & Value

The timer shows heavy signs of age and use, including significant rust on the backplate, paint loss and flaking on the paper dial, and oxidation on the cast metal case. The glass or celluloid cover is missing. These condition issues reduce the value by approximately 50% compared to a mint-condition specimen.