Determine a Kit-Cat’s Age
Early Electric Clocks
1930s
If the back of the clock states “Portland, OR” it was manufactured in the 30′s and is VERY rare.
Made out of a non plastic material (Metal)
The earliest models had unique design features and a more hand-made individual simplified mouth. This clock, pictured here to the left, is in our private collection and is the oldest known Kit-Cat Klock.
Vintage Electric Clocks
1940 - 1954
If there is no bow tie, it was made before 1954.
If the back of the clock states “Seattle, WA” it was made in the 40′s if it has a metal back.
If the back of the clock states “Seattle, WA” with a plastic back and no front paws it was made in the early 50′s
If the back of the clock states “Seattle, WA” with a plastic back and has front paws it was made mid to late 50′s.
The red Kit-Cat clock pictured here is featured in the permanent collection of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Later Electric Clocks
1954 - 1990
If there is no stamped number on the back, then it was produced from ’64-’81.
If the back of the clock states “San Juan Capistrano, CA” it was made mid ’60′s to early ’90′s.
If the back of the clock states “El Monte, CA” it was made in the early 60′s.
If it has a bow tie, it was made after 1954
If the front of the clock has “Kit-Cat” on its clock face it was made after ‘82.
If a stamped number is on the back that would mean it was produced from ’82-’89.
Modern Battery Clocks
1990 - TODAY
Limited Edition Clocks are only manufactured for a very limited time (generally about 12 months or less) at the Kit-Cat factory. Once we sell out of our stock, they can only be found hidden in small mom and pop shops across the country or being traded online. Your Kit-Cat may be worth more than when you bought it!
All Battery Kit-Cats were made after 1990 while all Electric Kit-Cats were made before 1990. In the late 1980s our electric motor manufacturers moved over to Asia, forcing us to retire the electric Kit-Cat Clocks.