Wind Up Clock

tamilee · #1 02/27/10, 10:06 AM

I am trying to be as energy efficient as possible. I need to purchase a Good wind-up alarm clock that keeps time. How can I tell if the clock is good? Can anyone recommend one that is reliable and not too noisy?
Thanks.

danielsumner · #2 02/27/10, 10:16 AM

We bought ours at Restoration Hardware. Its yellow and I just love it. Most of the time I forget to wind it, but it sure is pretty sitting on the night stand. It works great and keeps perfect time (if you keep it winded up).

Daniel

Windy in Kansas · #3 02/27/10, 10:41 AM

The key (pun intended) word is "good". I used to always use Wesclox but haven't found one of theirs to be good for several years. Wish I had one of their old metal geared ones to get put back into good shape by a repair service. The plastic geared ones are junk in my opinion.

I'll await other answers too. I'll check out Restoration Hdwr.

GrannyG · #4 02/27/10, 10:55 AM

I bought one at $G for $8....what I like about it is that it also has a battery in it...at night, if you touch it, it lights up....good for dark-outs.....looks like an old fashioned one...

Harry Chickpea · #5 02/27/10, 11:08 AM

I'm a bit puzzled how this will save much energy. Our $5 battery alarm clock with traditional dial will go through one battery every couple of years. The one that uses an LCD display has been going for at least three years on a single AA cell.

If you want something really cool though, look for an atmospheric clock. They use the changes in barometric pressure to wind up a storage mechanism.

arabian knight · #6 02/27/10, 11:10 AM

Yes I agree todays battery ones are way better now, then what things were like years ago. Battery is the way to go now.

ldc · #7 02/27/10, 11:11 AM

Thanks for telling yr experience Granny G! I've been looking for a wind up, since my cat killed my ancient one! (I told him it wasn't a rat!) Dollar Gen is here, so I'll go look, ldc

Little Quacker in OR · #8 02/27/10, 11:33 AM

I've been a fan of Big Ben Wind UP Clocks for many years. Still keep one in my drawer by the bed in case we have a power outage or I want to travel and need an alarm clock.

It doesn't make any difference to me, but if you want to go "Green" stay away from anything that needs batteries. If you don't care one way or the other, battery clocks can offer you a lot.

I have a battery powered atomic clock and I just love it, but its not an alarm clock(I use the Big Ben for that). It does tell me the date, time, temp and coming weather though. LOL

LQ

Charly · #9 02/27/10, 12:16 PM

I too have been wanting a wind-up alarm clock for some time. Every time I go to the thrift store I look. Have only ever seen two and then I ended not getting them thinking they probably didn't keep good time or work properly

So, I too am in search of a "good" windup alarm clock. Thanks for starting this thread.

creekdweller · #10 02/27/10, 01:29 PM

Here you go:

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/S...&keyword=clock

Windy in Kansas · #11 02/27/10, 01:34 PM

My issue with battery clocks is not about energy efficiency, many of them have the same or similar tone frequency and DB rating and I simply can't hear them when the alarm sounds. I have certain frequency hearing loss from unknowingly losing an earplug while on the firing range in the Army. Electric kitchen timers and even low volume smoke detectors are hard for me to hear as well.

Big Ben alarms are generally made by Westclox. The older ones with brass gears are precious while the newer plastic geared ones with only one wind key are junk. Hang on to that Big Ben if it is one of the old ones----or send it to me to appreciate. lol

Charly · #12 02/27/10, 01:50 PM

Thanks folks.

HermitJohn · #13 02/27/10, 02:03 PM

I think you have to go way back to find decent windup. I remember high quality clock that you wound once a week with removable key to get really reliable lifetime one and even they needed occasional service by a clock maker. The cheap windup alarm clocks tended to be throw away even back in the day.

The battery ones are way to go in todays world. Found cheapo Timex alarm clock with standard dial that takes single "C" cell is one of best. Mine must be around 5 years old now and think I gave around $6 for it. Goes couple years on battery and if its like one it replaced, it lasts 10 years or so. Keeps perfect time until battery needs replacing then it will lose time which is how you know to replace the battery. Dont set them in sunshine or the plastic deteriorates fast and they wont last. I glued one to car dash and that killed it within a year though it was for sure handy while it lasted. Now I dont drive enough to be worth having clock in car. I rarely use the alarm, but dang it wakes me up and my hearing isnt great anymore.

tamilee · #14 02/27/10, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekdweller

Here you go:

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/S...&keyword=clock

Thanks Creekdweller.
I don't like buying batteries over and over, for some reason it irks me every time I go to replace one only to find the cost of battery has gone up.
I am working towards getting off-grid entirely. The best way to do this is little steps towards the goal. If we get used to using non-electric everyday items then we can do it. I got rid of the dryer, the dishwasher and large refrigerator. A couple of years ago I got a Lehman's best washing machine and we have adjusted to doing laundry manually. The wind up clock is next and I plan to switch to oil lamps later this year and put in a solar hot water heater. The composting Non-electric toilet will be installed next month.

mamakatinmd · #15 02/28/10, 07:36 AM

I'm with you Tamilee batteries irk me too.

I have been using windup clocks for awhile. I have a Big Ben, some westclox brand ones, and a few from garage sales. They all have been working fairly adequately. Over the course of a week, even if you keep up with the winding, They seem to lose 3 minutes or so and I keep having to reset clock time. Once you get in the habit it's no big deal. My biggest problem is my clock in the guest bedroom. The guests keep overwinding and breaking them.

I have my eye on a Kassel 31 day key wound wall clock next. You can get them on ebay for $55.00 -$60.00. It would be nice to get rid of my battery kitchen clock. I like you only have to wind every 31 days instead of daily.

Good luck in your goal of off-grid.
Kat

beaglebiz · #16 02/28/10, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Quacker in OR

I've been a fan of Big Ben Wind UP Clocks for many years. Still keep one in my drawer by the bed in case we have a power outage or I want to travel and need an alarm clock

Me too!! I have a Big Ben and a smaller "little ben". Walmart still sells them, but mine are estate sale finds,(a buck or two each) both made in USA (I dont know if they still are). They keep excellent time, and you can set two separate alarms. One wind on the Big Ben lasts longer than a day. I keep one in the trailer for trips, and one in the house.

65284 · #17 02/28/10, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamakatinmd

I'm with you Tamilee batteries irk me too.

I have been using windup clocks for awhile. I have a Big Ben, some westclox brand ones, and a few from garage sales. They all have been working fairly adequately. Over the course of a week, even if you keep up with the winding, They seem to lose 3 minutes or so and I keep having to reset clock time. Once you get in the habit it's no big deal. My biggest problem is my clock in the guest bedroom. The guests keep overwinding and breaking them.

I have my eye on a Kassel 31 day key wound wall clock next. You can get them on ebay for $55.00 -$60.00. It would be nice to get rid of my battery kitchen clock. I like you only have to wind every 31 days instead of daily.

Good luck in your goal of off-grid.
Kat

I have probably close to 100 of the old winders. Look on the back of your clocks and somewhere there is probably an arch shaped slot with S on one end and F on the other. You should see the tip end of a small lever visible in the slot, move it towards F if the clock is running slow, opposite if it runs fast. Movement should be in small increments until you get it right.

blooba · #18 02/28/10, 03:45 PM

Get a water powered clock....lol there are alot of different varieties out there but heres one http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsforher/757e/

mamakatinmd · #19 02/28/10, 06:38 PM

Thanks 65284! They do have that on the back. I never thought to question what it was. That's terrific!
Kat

tamilee · #20 02/28/10, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamakatinmd

I'm with you Tamilee batteries irk me too.

I have been using windup clocks for awhile. I have a Big Ben, some westclox brand ones, and a few from garage sales. They all have been working fairly adequately. Over the course of a week, even if you keep up with the winding, They seem to lose 3 minutes or so and I keep having to reset clock time. Once you get in the habit it's no big deal. My biggest problem is my clock in the guest bedroom. The guests keep overwinding and breaking them.

I have my eye on a Kassel 31 day key wound wall clock next. You can get them on ebay for $55.00 -$60.00. It would be nice to get rid of my battery kitchen clock. I like you only have to wind every 31 days instead of daily.

Good luck in your goal of off-grid.
Kat

Thanks Kat. I had forgotten about Big Ben brand. I'll keep my eye out for a Kassel. I love the idea of a 31 day windup.