Clock Lingo
Every industry has its own language and in the world of clocks it is no different. On this page you will find clock terms and definitions.
Analog : The analog clock uses hour and minute hands to represent time.
Atomic : An atomic clock is a precision clock that uses radio frequencies to synchronize itself with the official U.S. radio controlled clock operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology located in Fort Collins, Colorado. These are also referred to as Radio Controlled Clocks.
Bob : The bob is the polished round disk at the lower end of a pendulum.
Cable-Driven : The cable-driven grandfather clock is wound by inserting a key or crank to set the weights.
Chain-Driven : chain-driven grandfather clock is wound by pulling the chains until the weights are in the correct position.
Clocktail Tables : A clocktail table is simply a combination of a table and a clock. Typical clocktail tables will have a glass top with an iron or wood frame. These unique clocks make great furniture pieces and family heirlooms as well.
Cuckoo Clock : A cuckoo clock is a wall or shelf clock that announces time intervals with the sound and sometimes emergence of a cuckoo bird or other figurines.
Digital : The digital clock uses digital numbers to represent time.
Finial : Decorative ornament, usually in wood or brass, placed on top of the clock cabinet. Used most frequently in between split pediment crowns on grandfather clocks.
Floor Clock : A floor clock is any clock that stands upright on the floor and is not enclosed in a tall wooden cabinet. It may have a pendulum but generally does not have mechanical movements with weights and chains.
Geochron World Clock : The Geochron Global Time Indicator is one of the most unique clocks in the world with its ability to display the correct time, day of the week and date everywhere in the world. The most impressive feature of Geochron is its ability to display the ever-changing duration of daylight and darkness, as it occurs on the earths surface.
Grandfather Clock : A grandfather clock is a floor clock that is operated by the movement of a swinging pendulum and suspended weights enclosed in a tall cabinet.
Key-Wound Movement : A key winds the mechanical main spring which powers the clock. Key-wound movements generally run the clock for up to eight days before needing manual rewinding.
Melody in Motion : Melody in motion clocks offer a unique audio-visual display every hour. They are considered modern day cuckoo clocks because they perform various types of movements and sounds at timely intervals.
Moon Dial : A dial usually found at the top of the clock face which tracks the moon's phases through the 29-1/2 days of the lunar month. As the rotating moon dial passes behind the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, the phases of the moon are represented as they appear at each stage of the cycle: new moon, waning crescent, half moon, etc.
Night Shut-Off : Most clocks have a night shut-off feature that allows you to disable any sounds and movements while still keeping the correct time.
Pendulum : A disc-shaped body (bob) suspended by cables from a fixed support that swings freely back and forth under the influence of gravity, which operates the clock and assures accurate time.
Projection Alarm Clock : A projection alarm clock is essentially a clock that will project time and or weather information onto your wall or ceiling, making it easy and fun to wake up in the morning.
Quartz Movement : Electronic impulses pass from a battery through a quartz crystal powering the movement of the clock at regular intervals.
Radio Controlled : Radio controlled clocks are often referred to as atomic clocks. They are precision clocks that uses radio frequencies to synchronize themselves with the official U.S. radio controlled clock operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
World Time : World time is a function on some desktop clocks and alarm clocks that allows you to see what time it currently is in other parts of the world.