✚ Photo by David Prince
Back when I posted about my kitchen overhaul plans in November, I mentioned the poor reviews on Amazon for Karlsson’s Big Flip wall clock. A number of you commented here and on Twitter to let me know that you own the same clock (or the nearly-identical Flap clock from Habitat, also manufactured by Karlsson) and that it works just fine. I think people have a tendency to leave feedback for certain things only when they’re dissatisfied, so Amazon reviews aren’t always the best way to research the real-life quality of a product.
Anyway, a very kind D16 reader also emailed me about one that was listed on eBay (new, in box) for a very low price, so I took a chance and bought it. I’ve had it running for about four months now, and I haven’t had any issues at all. I realize that four months isn’t a very long time, but that is long enough for it to have cycled through a few months of varying lengths (I did have to make a manual adjustment at the end of February, which is understandable) and several hundred flip configurations, so I have a good feeling so far. I’ll let you know if it ever breaks down, but at this point my review is a thumbs-up.
(By the way, the price on Amazon seems to fluctuate pretty wildly. It’s listed for $164 today, but just a few days ago it was up around $200. There are few other US retailers, but they all seem to have it priced much higher. In short, keep your eye on the prices, shop around, and check eBay before buying!)
Here’s the Big Flip clock in my kitchen. Yes, it’s killing me that I still haven’t been able to tile that wall (we need the weather to warm up so we can have the radiators temporarily removed first!), and obviously the clock will look a lot better once there’s a bunch of shiny white subway tile and fancy black grout to set it off. Also, the nicer the rest of the kitchen gets, the more I hate that metal door. I can’t wait to replace it.
I took that second photo from the side so you can see how deep the plastic cover on the clock is. The whole thing extends about 6″ from the wall. It’s pretty huge — 17″ square — so it’s not really something you’d want to put on your desk. They do make a mini size, though, or you could just download the Fliqlo screensaver from 9031 and save time and money.
One last photo of the Big Flip in the wild, because I love this arrangement and especially that poster…
✚ Photo from Weekday Carnival / Poster available from Stilleben
23 Comments
You can use camelcamelcamel.com to check prices on Amazon products. You can also set it to email or tweet at you when the price gets to something you’re willing to pay. I just used it for a hair straightener that shot up to like $75, I waited a few weeks and it finally got down to $40 again. 🙂 It’s the best!
Oh, neat! I’ve never heard of that site, thanks.
Really cool! That clock looks like it’s able to match any room.
this clock is in my wish list about 2 years and i think could never find the way to raise money to buy it but i ve never think of ebay!!
thank you
Hello Anna, if I had seen this beautiful clock before I would have included in my post about wall clock:
http://egiavarini.blogspot.it/2012/04/its-time-for-some-wall-clocks.html
It is really cool, I will had to my wish list. I also find that black wall clocks help me to be on time!
Thank you.
The poster is by All the way to Paris, a danish design studio. I did an internship there 🙂
I know! Check the link to purchase — it goes to their page on Stilleben. The photo is from the Circus Hein site, though, hence that part of the credit. 🙂
I have that clock – from habitat – it´s been running smoothly for more than 4 years now! My only complaint is the noise it makes at midnight when it flips the date – the sound still gives me a scare even after 4 years of co-living 🙂
Hah! It surprised me the first night, but I’m used to it now. I thought the dogs might freak out, but they don’t even notice!
Glad to see you took the plunge and bought that ebay Karlsson Big Flip. It looks great there. I remember when you first mentioned it was a wish list item, some people were suggesting the knock-off versions that were very similar. I’m not totally against knock-offs in principle but at this price point, the difference between a knock-off and the true Karlsson flip is only around $100, so I reckon its best just to get the real thing and bask in it’s unadulterated authentic glory for ever more. There’s always a bit of me that ends up feeling some slight remorse, regret or guilt when I buy a fake over the real deal, especially when the genuine article is just a little bit more. We can easily blow a hundred dollars on an evening out in New York. When you put it in that perspective, buying the real clock was really the way to go. Enjoy.
The other clocks that people were talking about actually weren’t knockoffs, they were from the UK-based store Habitat. They’re also made by Karlsson, and are identical except for the date and month being transposed.
Generally speaking, though, I’m not a fan of buying knockoffs!
I had vague recollections of someone mentioning Asian reproductions that were cheaper but almost the same.
I used to be kind off obsessed with Habitat stuff back when we lived in the UK. There’ s just nowhere equivalent in the US.
Anyway, welcome to the Karlsson club.
Hi. Just wanted to say that the picture of the poster is from my home and taken by me and not circus hein 🙂
Hi Riikka! Thank you so much for that correction, I was given bad information — I’ll fix it in the post right away! I actually just discovered your blog yesterday, nice to see you here. 🙂
(If there’s a specific post on your blog you’d like your credit to link to, please let me know!)
LOVE that clock! (And this blog, just found it!)
I’ve been searching the whole internet for info about the Karlsson clock, and just realized the difference between the real one, the Habitat one and the asian fake ones. Confusing. And all quite expensive 🙂 Cant make up my mind between paying like 180 dollars for the habitat one or 250-300 dollars for the one you´ve got.
Just curious: how much did you pay? Scanning eBay as we speak…
All the best
Johanna
Hi Johanna, I don’t remember exactly how much I paid, maybe $100? I wouldn’t let that be a guideline for you, though — I just got lucky and found a person on eBay who happened to be selling one (it wasn’t a store).
The Habitat clock IS the Karlsson clock — it’s not a knockoff. Karlsson makes the clock, and Habitat has their branding on it. It still says Karlsson on the back. The only differences are the positioning of the day/month and the green Saturday panel on the Habitat one.
Habitat isn’t an option for people in the US, so it’s actually cheaper/easier for us to buy it on Amazon or from other US-based retailers. You should let your location be your guide. 🙂
Thanks for your advice!
Hi, Anna –
Just found the Mini on an obscene sale, but for some reason, I CANNOT get the month to change. I know this is a long shot, but are there any troubleshooting resources? A quick search on the Karlsson site did me no good 🙁
Thanks –
Kathleen
I have no idea, sorry! 🙁
I might order through Homeloo or Twemco.
Hi Anna
I have just found your site I am so glad there are like minded people here. I realise that I am rather late attending the conversation. Please allow me relate my recent experience. In July last month I bought a Karlsson Mini Clock from a store called Dunhelm here in England cost £75 that’s approximately $96 I would guess. I was so excited about my purchase. I even stayed up until midnight to watch the hour and day change, how’s that for enthusiasm. One strange thing that I have noticed at 12 noon there’s a slight buzzing sound, not quite sure what that’s for. The web site flipclockfans dot com slash forums were uncertain as to why the clock made this kind of noise. I can only assume it’s part of the adjustment. I am very pleased with my Karlsson Mini Flip clock and I recommend it to any one contemplating a purchase.
hello, I LOVE your clock – just having a look around online – can anyone tell me the difference between Karlsson and Fartech? they look and cost very similar… thanks 🙂
Sorry Michaela, I’m not familiar with Fartech.