Alarm clock

[lethargic_man]

My alarm clock died a few days ago. I've been meaning for a while to get a Shabbos friendly replacement: a wind-up 24-hour mechanical alarm clock. (Because I want something that's going to run down of its own accord within a minute and not keep on going on and off for the next hour; and I prefer analogue clock faces to digital, and mechanical bells and annoying electronic noises.)

And it's proving imppossible, googling, to find such a thing. Can I really be the only person in the world who wants such a thing?

Comments

[bluepork.livejournal.com]

I googled "traditional alarm clock" and found this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Traditional-double-brass-alarm-clock/dp/B000O9KANY

You might note that the review isn't great because it's ticks loudly, which is one of the many reasons they're not popular.

"mechanical alarm clocks" revealed this:

http://www.fhinds.co.uk/Clocks/Alarm_Clocks/Baby-Ben-Mechanical-Alarm-Clock-030889.html

I think it's obvious why wind up clocks have fallen out of fashion, but have you considered these two alternatives, both of which would cost more:

A totally programmable clock (or an app for your phone would do the same thing. You might find a new phone actually costs less than a clock!) You could program it to ring for one minute then turn off automatically. I've not looked for such a thing myself but I'd be surprised if it's not possible. With your programming skills I'd you could always program one yourself if you can't find a suitable phone based one!

An antique one.

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

Oh, I could find lots of mechanical alarm clocks. Just no 24-hour ones.

As for a new 'phone, both of the clocks you linked to are under £20; I don't think I'm going to find a mobile 'phone for that! My ancient mobile 'phone does feature an alarm clock, but it keep repeating every few minutes for at least the best part of an hour!

[bluepork.livejournal.com]

> Oh, I could find lots of mechanical alarm clocks. Just no 24-hour ones.

Good point. Why don't you make one yourself?!

> As for a new 'phone, both of the clocks you linked to are under £20; I don't think I'm going to find a mobile 'phone for that

I think you're wrong there. You won't get an all singing all dancing smart phone for that. But all you need is a dumbphone capable of running java, which they pretty much all do, nowadays. If you are serious about going down that route, I bet the other brother could help with the programming too, given what he does for a living.

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

Good point. Why don't you make one yourself?!

Yeah, that's me the handy man with my hands!?

But all you need is a dumbphone capable of running java, which they pretty much all do, nowadays. If you are serious about going down that route, I bet the other brother could help with the programming too, given what he does for a living.

I'll remind you I programme Java myself too for a living!

(In the meantime, I took the front off my old alarm clock, pushed the hands firmly back into place and it seems to have recovered.)

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

I have not missed old-style alarm clocks in forever, and am really totally happy with my phone (Star Trekking makes me laugh every time, and it's a perfect alarm song!). However, 24h alarms and wind-up don't, in my experience, go together - you'll have to set it every night, which is one of the reasons I don't miss alarm clocks at all...