RGB Nixie-style clear tube clock, oval base - CHROMA
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RGB Nixie Effect 3 finishes CHROMA is the Nixie effect clock for light enthusiasts. Set on an oval base with soft lines, six transparent cylindrical tubes with a glass-like appearance house luminous digits that can glow in a single color or display a rainbow spectrum from one tube to another. Beyond the time, it displays the calendar and acts as a stopwatch, then transforms into a true ambient object thanks to its animated effects: breathing, rainbow flow, gradient, or rapid flashing. A real-time clock (RTC) chip ensures precise timekeeping. Delivered ready to use, powered via USB and without high voltage, it comes in three bases—wood effect, black, or white—to match everything from a Scandinavian desk to an all-black gaming setup or a bright bedroom. At 26.8 cm long, it naturally finds its place under a monitor, on an entryway console, or on a nightstand, turning every glance at the time into a little light show.
Available finishes
From neon to RGB LED: how color is born
The original Nixie tubes, which appeared in the late 1950s, could only produce one hue: the orange of neon gas excited by high voltage. Their charm lay in this warm glow and the layering of numbers within the bulb. CHROMA retains the silhouette of these tubes but replaces the gas with RGB LEDs, and that is where it truly comes to life.
An RGB LED combines three diodes: red, green, and blue. By adjusting the intensity of each, the electronics create a wide palette of hues through additive synthesis: red and green make yellow, blue and red make magenta, and all three together create white. By varying these settings over time, we obtain the effects offered by the clock: a breathing mode that pulses gently, a gradient that slides from one color to the next, or a rainbow flow that traverses the six tubes. Everything operates on low-voltage USB.
Why you will love it
Light as a raw material
Some clocks are watched just to know the time. CHROMA is also watched for the story it tells through light. Its six tubes aligned on the oval base form a little stage: the seconds digit changing, a wave of color racing from left to right, a slow pulse accompanying the end of the day.
Where our large walnut model cultivates nostalgia for the original orange, and our solid wood clock invites you to assemble the tubes yourself, CHROMA embraces its contemporary and colorful temperament. It is for those who compose their interior as an atmosphere, who match their desk to their LED strips, or who enjoy having an object that changes its mood with them.
The rounded base softens the geometry of the cylinders, and depending on the finish chosen, the clock becomes warm, graphic, or luminous. Turned off, it remains a beautiful design object; turned on, it becomes the focal point of the room.
Getting started in 4 steps
Comparison of the three finishes
| Criteria | Wood Effect | Black | White |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambiance | Warm, natural | Graphic, contrasted | Minimalist, bright |
| Ideal for | Wooden desk, cozy living room | Gaming setup, home studio | Bedroom, Scandinavian interior |
| Color rendering | Warm shades enhanced | Vibrant, highly saturated colors | Pastels and soft gradients |
| Tubes | 6 transparent tubes | 6 transparent tubes | 6 transparent tubes |
| Functions | Time, calendar, stopwatch | Time, calendar, stopwatch | Time, calendar, stopwatch |
| Dimensions | 268 × 79 × 69 mm | 268 × 79 × 69 mm | 268 × 79 × 69 mm |
Good to know: CHROMA does not use real neon Nixie tubes. The digits are illuminated by RGB LEDs placed inside transparent tubes, which enables color effects and low-voltage USB operation. It is distinct from our two other Nixie effect clocks: the large walnut model (33 cm, retro orange) and the solid wood DIY clock (23.7 cm).
Tip: save the animated effects for relaxing moments and set a soft single color during work or at night: the display remains legible without being a constant distraction. On a black base, a deep blue or warm orange offers an especially elegant result.
Technical specifications
| Type | Digital Nixie effect table clock (RGB LED lighting) |
| Number of tubes | 6 transparent cylindrical tubes, glass look |
| Base | Oval |
| Finishes | Wood effect, Black, White |
| Material | Plastic (depending on supplier) |
| Dimensions | 268 × 79 × 69 mm |
| Weight | 589 g |
| Functions | Time, calendar, stopwatch |
| Light effects | Single color, rainbow, breathing, rainbow flow, gradient, rapid flash |
| Timekeeping | Real-time clock (RTC) chip |
| Power supply | External USB |
| Presentation | Black gift box (as per photos) |
Precautions: for indoor use only, away from humidity and heat sources. The rapid flash mode produces sustained light variations: avoid it if you are sensitive to flashing lights. Use a working USB port or charger and unplug the clock before cleaning.
A gift that brightens
Presented in a neat black box, CHROMA is an ideal gift for a birthday, Christmas, housewarming, or graduation: for a gamer perfecting their setup, a teenager redecorating their room, or a fan of luminous design.
Extend your discovery with our Time & Weather collection, our luminous objects from the Light & Levitation selection, or the elegant gadgets in the Office & High-tech department.
Frequently asked questions
Are these real Nixie tubes?
No. Original Nixie tubes are neon bulbs that operate at high voltage, produce only an orange hue, and are almost no longer manufactured. CHROMA adopts their silhouette with six transparent tubes in which RGB LEDs light up the digits. This technical choice offers real advantages: low-voltage USB operation, no fragile gas components, long LED lifespan, and, above all, the ability to display all sorts of colors and animated effects, which no authentic Nixie tube could allow. The retro spirit is there, with the added freedom of color.
What light effects does it offer?
CHROMA offers several ways to light up the digits. You can set a single color for a sober look or let the clock create a rainbow across its six tubes. The animated modes include breathing, which gently pulses the intensity, rainbow flow, where colors scroll from one tube to another, gradient, which slides gradually from one shade to the next, and a more dynamic rapid flash. The provided manual details how to switch between modes. These effects make it as much a clock as it is an ambient lamp.
Which finish should I choose?
It all depends on your interior and the effect you are looking for. The wood effect base adds a warm, natural touch, perfect for a wooden desk or a cozy living room; it enhances warm shades like orange. The black base is the most graphic: it almost disappears in dim light and makes bright colors pop, ideal for a gaming setup or home studio. Finally, the white base plays the clarity card and matches Scandinavian interiors and bright rooms. The three versions share the same tubes, functions, and dimensions.
How is it powered?
CHROMA runs on external USB power. Simply connect it to a computer's USB port, a monitor, or a wall USB charger of the type used for phones; this charger is not included. It does not run on batteries: it must remain plugged in to display the time and light effects. Low-voltage power makes it simple and safe for everyday use, without bulky transformers. If you place it on a nightstand or console, a discreet wall USB charger will work perfectly and avoids leaving a computer turned on.
Do I need to assemble it?
No, CHROMA is delivered ready to use. The six tubes are already installed on the oval base: just take it out of the box, plug it into USB, and set the time and date following the manual. This is one of the differences from our solid wood Nixie effect clock, which is offered as a DIY kit for those who enjoy the ritual of assembly. If you are looking for a gift that is usable immediately, or if you prefer enjoying light effects without any effort, CHROMA is the most direct of our Nixie effect clocks.
Does it keep accurate time?
Yes. Timekeeping is handled by a real-time clock (RTC) chip, an electronic component dedicated to this task and usually driven by a quartz crystal. This is the same family of components found in computers to track time. It ensures good consistency in daily use, far superior to simple software-based counting. As with any electronic clock, a slight drift may occur over the long term: checking the time occasionally, for example during daylight savings changes, is enough to keep the display perfectly accurate.
How do I maintain it?
Maintenance is very simple. Unplug the clock, then dust the tubes and the base with a dry microfiber cloth. Transparent tubes easily show fingerprints: handle them delicately and wipe them without pressing. Avoid household cleaners, solvents, alcohol, and sprays, which could dull the surfaces or damage the base's finish. Place the clock away from direct sunlight, which reduces digit legibility, and far from humidity sources. Regular dusting is enough to maintain color brilliance and tube transparency.
