Time Began
in 1947
1947 - 1984
Lemnos’ history began in Takaoka City of Toyama Prefecture in 1947 as a brass casting manufacturer of Buddhist altar fittings for Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
In 1963, the original factory moved to Hayakawa 511 Takaoka, the present site of the TAKATA Lemnos Inc headquarters. During this time, the company began producing clock frames made using brass casting for Seikosha Co., Ltd. (Seiko Clock Inc.).
In 1974, Lemnos produced clock bodies that were supplied to the Japan State Guest House in Tokyo.
1984 - 1997
In 1984, the company was renamed to called TAKATA Ltd., Co. (present-day TAKATA Lemnos Inc.). The following year Lemnos Tokyo office was opened.
In 1989, Lemnos' “HOLA, ILUS, TROS” designed by Kazuo Kawasaki won the Good Design Award. In addition, HOLA was selected for inclusion in the permanent collection at Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Between 1993 and 1995, wall clock “SC-3000”, alarm clock “PASPIE PC-6”, and “SC-45” won the Good Design Award, and tape dispenser “SD-50” and table clock “SC-45” were selected for the permanent collection at Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
1997 - 2009
Lemnos explored producing distinct products using original techniques and materials including developing high quality wooden or plywood frames for clock products.
At a gathering following the 2000 Toyama product design competition award ceremony, founder Hiroshi Takata met Akira Yamamoto, who is closely related to master designer of Japan, Riki Watanabe.
Riki Watanabe was Japan's master designers in the post-modern era who led the modernization and internationalization of Japan's contemporary design. Through a strengthening of this relationship, the signature Lemnos clock, the “RIKI CLOCK”, was born.
2009 - Present
Lemnos design clocks have become regular winners in the international design arenas. Lemnos continues to explore using different raw materials and collaborating with highly acclaimed designers to create timepieces.
Lemnos begins to distribute products outside of Japan to promote the idea of using design clocks beyond simply just as a time-telling device. The company enters into collaboration with world-class brands and stores to create one-of-a-kind design timepieces that convey their unique interpretation of time-telling.
In November 2024, the parent factory of Lemnos, TAKATA Factory, received the honor of the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays for its craftsmanship and service to the community..
The Order of the Rising Sun 旭日章
Recipient, Silver Rays, 2024
The Order of the Rising Sun is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji.
The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays (6th Class) is an honorary medal awarded to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in areas of the advancement of society and industry, the promotion of culture, and the promotion of international exchange. This award was awarded in recognition of Lemnos' parent factory TAKATA Factory's effort in craftsmanship and service to the local community since 1947.
The parent factory of Lemnos, TAKATA Factory, received this honor in November 2024.
Duono Copper and Chiisana Copper
by Riki Watanabe, released in 1972
A Clock is Timeless
"A clock not only indicates time. It is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and design. It is not a fading fashion; it is timeless." — Hiroshi Takata, Founder
Fluctuation Natural
by Daisuke Kitagawa
The Lasting Beauty of Time
Masterpiece of Craftsmanship and Design
Receiving a total of 57 design awards as of 2024 from the world's most prestigious design competitions including iF Design Award, Good Design Award, A'Design Award、Reddot Design Award, Design for Asia Awards, JIDA Design Museum, Golden Pin Design Award, and with products selected as part of the permanent collection in the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Lemnos has garnered the highest number of design awards and honors of any clockmaker.
RELIEF Blue
by Ryosuke Fukusada
Earth Pink
by Yuichi Nara
HERSTORY Balloon
by Uhuhu Maiko
Born from World-Class Design Masters
Ross McBride
Designer of Extranormal
AWATSUJI Design
Designers of SOSO
Yuichi Nara
Designer of Birdhouse
Beyond a Design Clock—
A Designer Timepiece
Collaborating with over 30 world-class designers each Lemnos clock is imbued with fine character of design and craftsmanship, made to be a tasteful design object of time for any space.
Learn more on these Lemnos designers, their stories, awards, and design philosophies by visiting the Lemnos' Designer Archive, here.
Riki Alarm Clock
Rated by The New York Times Wirecutter
Tested and selected by product review authority The New York Times Wirecutter as one of the best alarm clocks on the market since 2020, the Riki Alarm is the only analog timepiece in this category that may help improve the quality of your sleep.
Handmade with select beechwood and available in 4 variations, natural, brown, piano paint gray, and piano paint white, the Riki Alarm is silent and has a built-in night light.
Riki Alarm Brown
Acquire this Timepiece
From Japan's Late Master Designer, Riki Watanabe
Considered by many as the father of Japan's modern design, Riki Watanabe had helped establishing important design organizations such as the Japan Design Committee, the Japan Industrial Design Association, among others. He received the Japan's Medal of Honor with purple ribbon (The Order of the Rising Sun) in 1984, the highest civilian award issued by the government.
World's Highest Design Accolades
Recipient of the most design awards—
60 as of 2025.
Lemnos KON Stool by Mikiya Kobayashi,
iF Design Award 2024 (Germany)
See the complete list of Lemnos design recognitions here.
The above list includes the most well-known design awards of the world. The total number of design awards received does not include minor, local, or national design awards and honors.
Cuckoo Clocks by Nendo
Designer of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Cauldron
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