Santoki Announces LEGO MOC Clock Contest Winners!
What happens when you give a clock to LEGO builders with no shortage of imagination? Apparently, almost anything. After receiving an impressive 890 entries, Santoki and Bricks & Minifigs have announced the winners of the LEGO MOC Clock Contest, showcasing three wildly different designs that prove a LEGO clock is about more than just telling time. Like anyone who’s ever played with LEGO, these clocks burst with creativity, proving anything is possible with a stack of multicolor bricks and a bit of imagination.
Designing LEGO clocks has never looked this cool
The LEGO MOC Clock Contest challenged builders to transform the customizable LEGO MOC Clock into something uniquely their own, with 10 finalists ultimately selected before public voting and sponsor judging determined the winners. The results range from an interactive celebration of education to a miniature Toy Story arcade scene and an elaborate tribute to libraries, architecture and creativity.
“The LEGO MOC Clock gives builders a canvas to create something completely their own,” said Beth Muehlenkamp, Vice President of Product & Marketing at Santoki. “With so many entries, it was amazing to see the range of ideas builders can bring to the same product.” And truthfully, Muehlenkamp is right: even I, who frequently build and play with LEGO both professionally and at home to relax, was completely blown away by the talent on display.
Arizona duo Roddy Nikpour and Ashley “Patrick” Swazey won the Grand Prize for “Learning Is Built Over Time,” a design that turns the simple concept of a clock into a visual celebration of education and lifelong learning.
The idea began with an appropriately clever connection: a 12-hour clock representing the 12 grades of school. From there, Nikpour and Swazey packed their creation with tiny details, including hinged books, brick-built art supplies, removable pencils, a watercolor set, and even an apple hiding a tiny worm. But the real magic is in how the clock can evolve along with its owner. You can remove the panels at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions to make room for wallet-sized school photographs that represent different stages of a student’s education. What begins as a LEGO creation can therefore become a personalized keepsake filled with memories.
“We wanted the clock to be more than something you simply look at,” said Nikpour. “We wanted it to invite people to play, interact, and think about the journey of learning.”
The pair’s dedication was also impressive: they completed the clock just 24 hours before the contest deadline. Talk about almost running out of time!
Malka Kirshner of Texas took second place for “The Clawk,” a colorful recreation of the iconic Pizza Planet claw machine from Toy Story. After starting to collect Toy Story minifigures when the contest was announced, Kirshner initially considered recreating Andy’s room before deciding the Pizza Planet scene offered more opportunities for movement and visual flair. It is hard to argue with that choice.
At the top of the clock sits a custom crane mechanism designed to recreate the famous claw, while a clear display window is packed with little green aliens. Colorful studs surrounding the clock face evoke the flashing lights of an arcade, while rocket-inspired fins on either side add another unmistakable Pizza Planet touch.
“My favorite element is definitely the custom crane mechanism at the top that simulates the iconic claw,” Kirshner said. “It brings a sense of motion and storytelling to the piece, making it feel like a real arcade game.”
The project also reflects Kirshner’s own journey back into LEGO building. After growing up playing with LEGO, she eventually moved away from the hobby before rediscovering it when her children began playing. That renewed interest eventually led her from collecting minifigures into adult LEGO sets and the world of MOC building.
Rounding out the winners is Ariel Murkens, who took third place with “A Timeless Collection.” Where Kirshner’s clock embraces pop culture and arcade nostalgia, Murkens went in an entirely different direction, creating an ornate design inspired by grand libraries, 1920s Art Deco, and the seemingly limitless possibilities of human creativity.
Murkens drew inspiration from legendary fictional libraries, including the library in Beauty and the Beast and the Jedi Temple Archives, combining those influences with elaborate architectural details. Symmetrical gold-brick patterns, gems, herringbone brickwork, and built-in Roman numerals give the clock an appropriately timeless look. For Murkens, those Roman numerals became a standout detail.
“The Roman numerals built into the clock’s design are easily my favorite detail,” she said. “It was a fun idea that I brainstormed with friends during the early planning stages, and it became an important part of the final design.”
And, naturally, no grand LEGO library would be complete without a secret. The fireplace can be removed to reveal a hidden space for notes or Easter eggs, inspired by the classic storytelling device of secret passageways concealed behind fireplaces in properties such as Scooby-Doo and Clue.
Final thoughts on the 2026 LEGO MOC Clock Contest
While the three winning designs couldn’t be more different, that’s ultimately what makes the contest so interesting. The same basic LEGO MOC Clock became a celebration of education for one team, a miniature piece of Toy Story nostalgia for another builder, and an architectural showcase for a third. With 890 entries competing for the spotlight, the contest offered a pretty convincing demonstration of just how flexible a LEGO creation can be. Give builders the same starting point, and they can turn it into something personal, nostalgic, playful, educational, or completely unexpected. In the end, these clocks aren’t really just about keeping time. They’re about what builders choose to do with it.
To learn more about the Santoki LEGO MOC Clock Contest winners, visit their page! What do you think about these three award-winning clocks? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @bsb.insider to keep the conversation going!
BoxKing Premium Wooden LEGO Building Board: A Better Way to Enjoy LEGO
