The Collector's Guide to Metamec Model Numbers
Metamec produced over 350 clock models during their four decades of production in Dereham, Norfolk. For collectors, navigating this extraordinary range can be daunting — but the most sought-after models are well documented, and knowing your model numbers is the single most useful piece of knowledge you can have when buying or selling a Metamec clock.
This guide covers the most collectable Metamec models, what to look for, and what distinguishes one variant from another.
Where to Find the Model Number
On most Metamec clocks, the model number appears on a label affixed to the back of the clock — typically a small white or cream sticker with the model number printed or stamped on it. On some earlier models, the number may be stamped directly into the back plate.
Not all surviving clocks retain their original label — decades of handling and the occasional enthusiastic cleaning can remove them. In these cases, identification is made by reference to known examples — dial type, spoke configuration, frame dimensions and finish combination.
The Most Collectable Metamec Models
Model 5629 — The Definitive Metamec Sunburst
The 5629 is the clock that most people picture when they think of a Metamec sunburst. At 60cm (approximately 24 inches) diameter, it is a commanding piece — large enough to anchor any living room or hallway wall with real presence.
The 5629 was produced in several variants, and collectors have clear preferences:
Silver face with baton markers — widely regarded as the most desirable 5629 variant. The cool silver dial with baton indices and Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 sits in perfect contrast to the radiating spokes, giving this version a clean, modernist graphic quality that the warmer dial variants cannot match. If you are looking for the definitive Metamec 5629, this is the one.
Roman numeral dial variants — produced in cream and champagne grounds with Roman chapter rings. Warmer and more traditional in character than the silver baton version, and slightly more common.
Brass and teak finish — alternating solid teak rays and polished brass spokes. The warmest and most popular finish combination, and the one most closely associated with the model.
Chrome and teak finish — cooler and more Scandinavian in character than the brass version. Rarer and increasingly sought after by collectors who prefer a less warm palette.
Model 5892 — The Teak and Nickel Rarity
The 5892 is among the rarest and most desirable of all Metamec sunburst models. The combination of solid teak rays with cool nickel-tone metal spokes creates a visual contrast quite distinct from the warmer brass variants — the teak's natural grain reads against the silvery metal with a crispness that suits Scandinavian and minimalist interiors particularly well.
At 60cm diameter, the 5892 shares the commanding presence of the 5629 but with a finish combination that appears far less frequently on the market. Collectors who know Metamec well regard a good 5892 as one of the finest pieces in the range.
Model 5867 — The Zodiac Clock
The 5867 is one of Metamec's most distinctive and immediately recognisable designs. Rather than the standard numeral or baton dial, the 5867 features a black chapter ring decorated with the twelve signs of the zodiac — each sign illustrated in white against the dark ground, with white baton markers between them.
The result is a clock that is part timepiece, part decorative object — the zodiac imagery giving it a character quite different from the rest of the Metamec range. The 5867 has its own devoted collector following, and good examples are increasingly hard to find.
Model 5629 Sunflower Variant — The Filigree Petals
A variant of the 5629 family features delicate filigree petal forms rather than solid spokes — giving the clock a lighter, more decorative character sometimes described as the "sunflower" design. With a Roman numeral brass dial and gold filigree petals, this is one of the most ornate pieces in the Metamec range and appeals to collectors who want something a little different from the standard sunburst format.
The Acctim Sunburst Models
Acctim was a brand name used for some Metamec production during the later years of the factory's operation, and continued after the Metamec brand itself ceased. Acctim sunburst clocks share the same design DNA as their Metamec equivalents — solid teak, quality metalwork, the same bold atomic-age aesthetic — and are increasingly collected in their own right. The Acctim teak sunburst at 60cm is a particularly fine piece.
What Affects Value
Several factors influence the value of a Metamec clock in today's market:
Model — the 5892 and silver-face 5629 command premiums over more common variants.
Condition — original finish in excellent condition is always preferable. Light age-related wear is expected and acceptable; significant damage to spokes, dial or teak rays reduces value materially.
Size — larger clocks (60cm) command significantly higher prices than smaller models.
Originality — original movements in working order are a plus for serious collectors, though a properly fitted quality quartz replacement is entirely acceptable and does not significantly affect value.
Rarity of finish — chrome and teak, nickel and teak, and rosewood variants are rarer than the standard brass and teak combination and command premiums accordingly.
At RetroTime
We regularly stock Metamec clocks across multiple models and finishes. Every clock we sell is individually sourced, assessed, and where necessary professionally restored with a new quartz movement. Stock changes frequently — these are one-of-a-kind vintage pieces and once they are gone, they are gone.
View our current Metamec listings →
If you are looking for a specific model or finish and don't see it listed, get in touch — we are always sourcing new stock and are happy to let you know when something matching your requirements comes in.
RetroTime specialises in genuine vintage British homewares — wall clocks, textile wall art and lighting from the mid-century modern era. Based in Chelmsford, Essex. Free tracked delivery across the UK.