Clocks

Every shape and design

Over the centuries clocks have been made in every shape conceivable. whilst the traditional clock face has always been circular, during different eras they have appeared in many other shapes, especially square, oval or even hexagonal or with multi sides.

There are all sorts on the market, from the very plain and simple, to the extremely ornate. The most common type of clock is the wall clock, which can be found in almost every home. Wall clocks come in all shapes and sizes, with a wide variety of designs.

Size of clocks

There are many different sizes, with the traditional ones being about 12 inches (300mm) across. In recent years the much larger modern wall clock has been very popular. These are available now up to 24 inch (600mm) diameter or even bigger. In a larger room a big clock can make a grand statement especially above a mantelpiece or in a large stairwell.

Floor, mantle and wall clocks

The largest grandfather clocks stand tall and you need to have the space to be able to consider one of these. Mantle clocks are traditionally for the mantelpiece are still popular. The wall clock is the most common option with a huge range of sizes, styles and designs.

Materials

Clocks have been made from a range of materials over the years. The most popular materials used in recent times would be wood, metal and plastic. Whilst plastic has its uses, at times it can look cheap, so wood and metal are definitely more preferable as materials.

Clock faces

The face of a clock is the most important part, as it tells you the time! Clock faces vary enormously with different colours and designs. Roman numerals are very popular, whilst traditional numbers are used often, sometimes with just the 12, 3, 6 and 9 visible.

Digital or analogue displays

Digital displays because very popular on some examples a few decades back, as they were very futuristic, but are not so popular now. Analogue displays continue to dominate clock design.

Clock hands

Most clocks regardless of design, have hands of some kind that rotate from a central motion, but sometimes designers have strayed beyond this on some modern wall clocks.

Clock mechanisms

The clocks mechanism hidden inside the clock is what makes it tick (or chime), and there are many different types of clock mechanisms. The traditional clockwork motions are still used in many high quality models, but most of the cheaper clocks will use mains or battery powered mechanisms.

Radio controlled clocks

Some modern clocks are radio controlled, meaning that they are set to the correct time automatically by a radio signal. This is very handy for clocks in different time zones, or clocks that need to be accurate to the second. When a clock has to be reset twice a year for daylight saving, these can be very useful, especially for elderly or disabled people.

History of Clocks

Clocks have a very long tradition and are steeped in history as they have developed over thousands of years. They make great gifts for anyone who’s interested in watches, horology or even astronomy and some of the more unique clocks can even be used as functional works of art.

Human fascination

The passage of time is something that our lives revolve around and we humans have long been fascinated by the measurement of time. This lies behind the huge variety of timepieces that have been created through the centuries. Wall clocks are very functional and they continue to be popular in the 21st century.

Care of your clock

No matter what type of clock you have in your home, it’s important to take care of it. Clocks should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from moisture. Well made clocks will last a lifetime and many older clocks become valuable especially if they are rare.

Buying a clock for a gift?

Clocks are also perfect as gifts for different occasions. They can be given to your loved ones, whether that be a parent or even a child. They also make great accessories for the kitchen and dining room.

Think about the character of the person to whom you are giving the clock – are they an ‘old school’, traditional person or do they favour modern, contemporary style décor?

If they have a mechanical background, some wall clocks have moving gears on display and can create a fascination for this kind of people.

Similarly, nature lovers will appreciate a clock that features flora and fauna. Some even feature birdsong or other sounds.

If the person is a traveller and loves foreign cities, a clock which incorporates times for different zones may be attractive to them.

If they’re a sports enthusiast, try and find an antique clock with sporting memorabilia or engravings on the face of the timepiece. Clocks make excellent gifts for any special occasion, whether it be Mother’s Day, Father’s day, Christmas or even their birthday!

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