Nordic Wall Clock

How to Choose a Wall Clock

A wall clock is one of the few things in a room that people look at on purpose, several times a day. That makes it worth choosing properly: the right size for the wall, a movement that will not keep you awake, and a face you still like in two years. Here is what to check, with examples from our clocks collection.

1. Size: measure the wall, not the clock

The most common mistake is buying a clock that is too small for the wall it hangs on. A rough rule that works in most UK homes:

  • Around 25 cm (10 inch): a hallway, above a desk, a small kitchen wall, a bathroom. The Nordic Wall Clock comes in this size.
  • Around 30 cm (12 inch): the standard size, right for a kitchen, bedroom, study or a living room where the clock shares the wall with pictures. Most of our clocks are this size, including the Noble, Sorana, Walnut Luminous and Nork.
  • 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 inch): a living room or dining wall where the clock is the main thing on it. The TempoStone goes up to 40.5 cm, the Sunset Glass and Nordic to 36 cm, the Marlow to 35.5 cm.
  • Statement size, 45 cm and up: a feature wall, a tall hallway or above a sofa. The 3D Metal Wall Clock is 46 x 39 cm or 58 x 48 cm, and the Pendulum clock is 55 cm tall.

Before you order, cut a circle of newspaper to the clock's diameter and tape it to the wall. It takes two minutes and settles the question.

Nordic Wall ClockNordic Wall ClockNoble Modern Wall ClockNoble Modern Wall ClockTempoStone Modern Simple Wall ClockTempoStone Modern Simple Wall ClockModern 3D Metal Wall ClockModern 3D Metal Wall ClockMinimalist Pendulum Wall ClockMinimalist Pendulum Wall Clock

2. Movement: quartz or silent sweep

Almost every modern wall clock runs on a quartz movement with a battery, so accuracy is not the issue. The issue is noise.

  • A standard quartz movement moves the second hand once a second, and you can hear it tick in a quiet room. Fine for a kitchen or hallway. Our Noble, TempoStone, 3D Metal, Rectangular and Blue and Gold Marble clocks use a standard quartz movement.
  • A silent sweep or silent quartz movement glides instead of stepping, so there is no tick. This is the one for a bedroom, a study or anywhere you sit quietly. The Nordic, Nork, Sorana, Walnut Luminous, Sunset Glass, Marlow and Pendulum clocks are all silent.

The Movement line under Specifications on each product page tells you which it is. If it just says quartz, assume it ticks.

3. Batteries

All of our clocks take standard AA batteries: one for most, two for the Pendulum clock. Batteries are not included, so pick some up before the clock arrives.

4. Readability from where you will stand

Decide whether you want to read the time at a glance or whether the clock is mostly decoration.

  • Easy to read: a plain dial with full numerals and contrasting hands. The Nordic, Nork and TempoStone are the clearest in our range.
  • Minimal: markers instead of numerals, or only a 12 and a 6. The Jarrow replaces numerals with four fine lines, the Walnut Luminous offers a Markers dial, and the Modern Rectangular shows just a 12 and a 6 on a clear panel. Beautiful, but you read these by the angle of the hands.
  • Readable in the dark: the Walnut Luminous has numerals and hands that hold a soft glow after the lights go off, so you can read it from bed.
Nork Minimalist Wall ClockNork Minimalist Wall ClockJarrow Wall ClockJarrow Wall ClockWalnut Luminous Wall ClockWalnut Luminous Wall ClockModern Rectangular Wall ClockModern Rectangular Wall Clock

5. Material and hanging

Lightweight clocks in acrylic, ABS or thin MDF hang on a single nail or picture hook and suit any wall. Our Noble (4 mm thick), Sorana, Blue and Gold Marble and TempoStone all hang this way. Wooden clocks such as the Nordic, Nork, Walnut Luminous and Jarrow hang on a single nail or screw too. The one exception is the 3D Metal Wall Clock, which is metal and heavier, so it needs a proper wall fixing rather than a picture pin.

6. Picking a style for the room

  • Scandi or Japandi rooms: wood and matte paint. Nordic, Nork, Walnut Luminous, Pendulum.
  • Modern and graphic: Sorana, Jarrow, Modern Rectangular, Noble.
  • Colour and texture: Sunset Glass, TempoStone, Blue and Gold Marble, Marlow with its marbled sage green face under a glass dome.
  • One big statement: the 3D Metal clock, whose nested brushed gold rings throw shadows that change through the day.
Sorana Wall ClockSorana Wall ClockSunset Glass Wall ClockSunset Glass Wall ClockMarlow Wall ClockMarlow Wall ClockBlue and Gold Marble Wall ClockBlue and Gold Marble Wall Clock

Quick checklist

  1. Measure the wall and test the size with a paper circle.
  2. Bedroom or study? Choose a silent movement.
  3. Buy AA batteries.
  4. Decide if you want numerals or a cleaner face.
  5. Check how it hangs, especially for metal clocks.

Delivery and returns

Every clock ships free and tracked in the UK. Most arrive in 5 to 10 working days. If it is not right on the wall, you have 30 days from delivery to send it back. See the whole range in our wall clocks collection.

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