While updating the location article about the Mitchum Brothers home, I saw a brief scene of a digital clock sitting on a shelf during Part 11. It’s one of those “blink and you’ll miss it” props but it called to me as I could clearly see a manufacturer’s name – Bruno.
WHO IS BRUNO?
The Japanese company Bruno launched in 2011 as a lifestyle brand that manufactured home goods, including clocks. Idea International Co. Ltd. operated the “BRUNO” brand, the travel brand “MILESTO,” and the organic cosmetics brand “MeTIME.” On October 1, 2021, the company changed its company name to “BRUNO Co., Ltd.” and continues offering products online.
WHEN WAS THE ORANGE BRUNO CLOCK MANUFACTURED?
When the company changed names, they discontinued their original website. Thankfully, I found it on the Wayback Machine. You can see the tiny orange clock in a square image with multiple clocks.
The LCD Retro Alarm Clock S was manufactured in 2013 and had a suggested retail price of 4,104 Yen. The model number is BCR003-OR and product code 02760119.
The site described the clock as a “digital version of the retro flip-flap clock.” By digitizing the flip-flap clock that has “been loved for many years,” Bruno made it easier to adjust the time and set the alarm more smoothly. This alarm clock “faithfully reproduces the way time ticks.”
This could be the clock that Bruno is referencing. A classic “flip-flap” clock made by Bosch. With so many nods to mid-century products in Twin Peaks, I’m surprised the production design team didn’t include this analog clock instead of the digital one.
Of course, seeing the prop meant I had to find one. I visited the website JPVibes which had Bruno clocks for sale. Sadly, the orange model with no longer offered (but I submitted my email address in hopes it will become available again).
During my researching, I also stumbled upon this image of the clock used in a Twitter post from Guaranty Bank in Africa in August 2016. Go figure!
APPEARANCES IN TWIN PEAKS
When we first see the inside of the Mitchum House in Part 10, Candy is chasing a fly in the living room. It’s incredibly difficult to see but the clock is sitting on the far shelf by the window behind her.
A slightly better look at the clock as she is about to hit Rodney Mitchum with the television remote control.
The clock is best seen in Part 11 while the Mitchum Brothers are having breakfast.
It makes one more appearance in Part 16 after Special Agent Dale Cooper calls the Mitchum Brothers.
While it doesn’t have a lot of screen time, it’s one of those rare times when a real world brand crosses over into the Twin Peaks world.
