A looong long time ago time didn't exist - the cavemen lived from dawn 'til dusk, from spring to winter without any need to actually count the hours, minutes, and seconds as we do now. And since the concept of time wasn't 'invented' yet, could we say that it really didn't exist?
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Anyways, let's leave the existential questioning behind and skip forward a couple of hundred years to the invention of the first mechanical wall clock in 723 A.D by a Chinese monk and mathematician I-Hsing. He called it 'Water Driven Spherical Birds-Eye-View Map of the Heavens.' Pretty cool, I-Hsing, pretty cool.
Skipping forward a thousand years or so more, the clocks have found their ways into everybody's homes, and now we couldn't imagine the concept of 'living without time.' As with everything that we use in our everyday lives, the aesthetic appearance of things is a desirable bonus, so a cool wall clock is a must.
Enter Bored Panda. We have compiled a list of the unique wall clocks there are, that even the most snobbish time-watcher would find aesthetically pleasing. In the pictures below you'll find cool clocks made from unexpected materials, decorative wall clocks fit for even the most modern interior and everything in between.
P.S.: If you are a ticking clock hater, there's a Facebook group for you called "I HATE hearing a clock tick when I'm trying to sleep".
1. Turntable Clock
This clock was created using a recycled Sanyo turntable and a Ronco’s Greatest Hits album titled “Get It On” which is replaceable. (Designed by pixelthis)
2. RND Time
The most unusual feature of this clock lies in its entirely random application to the wall, hence the name “rnd_time”, where “rnd” is used to indicate the random factor. (Designed by progetti)
3. Pop Quiz Clock
Think back to a time when you were a young geek. Sure, you were brilliant at math, but being asked to solve problems on the chalkboard… That’s the stuff of nightmares. Thankfully, that time is over… Or is it? The smell of chalk and the feel of the blackboard is still fresh in your mind. If you close your eyes, you can almost feel the eyes staring at your back as you labor to engage your brain and simplify the polynomial. (link)
4. Clock Made From A Recycled Bike Wheel
This clock was made from a recycled aluminum Mongoose bike wheel. The wheel mounts directly to the wall through the hub using a hollow wall anchor and gives the illusion that it is floating off the wall. The clock movement is a high torque German quartz movement and is attached to a set of rear cassette gears to conceal the movement. (Designed by pixelthis)
5. Domino Clock
We live in a hectic world. Alerts, alarms, and reminders prod us through our days with unforgiving precision. Challenging this pressure-filled environment, the Domino Clock™ takes a simple, iconic object and transforms it into a new way to tell time. (Designed by Carbon Design)
6. Whatever Clock
Funny clock features black rim with “What Ever!” dial face and novelty Arabic numbers. This unique clock can spice up your modern room. (buy)
7. Definition Of Time
This clock is not really suited for easy time telling but the piece is quite sculptural easily making it a centerpiece in your home. (Designed by Wooteik Lim)
8. Melting Clock
This Dali inspired melting clock is hand painted Silver Gray with a subtle metallic sheen. It has a black border and numbers along with two daliesque ants. The clock face is finished with multiple coats of pre-catalyzed lacquer for a durable high gloss surface. (link)
9. Sundial Clock
The circular metal disk holds each of the twelve numbers perpendicular to the surface which become evident when their shadows are cast on to the painted white base. When viewed straight on the numbers appear to be a series of simple, parallel lines unlike the playful overlapping numbers which are visible when viewed from the side. (Designed by: frontdesign)
10. Manifold Clock
A wall mounted clock with a manifold that connects the two hands to create a 3D movement. At any given moment the manifold is located in a different position and different parts are seen. As the hour can be understood according to the traditional location of hands, a new reading of time is created. (Designed by: studio ve)
11. Color Blind Clock
Take a closer look and you will see numbers hidden in amongst the spots. This clock is made of strengthened glass and will hang on a standard picture hook. (Designed by: Sono Design)
12. Continue Time
On this Continue Time clock, two out of the three pointers rotate around another pointer, instead of the central point on the clock face, as with traditional clocks. The resulting kinetic artwork, and fully functional clock, is continuously changing its shape during a full rotation of twelve hours. (Designed by: Sander Mulder)
13. Little Time
The time-teller literally displays ‘little time’ – the numbers on the timepiece are represented in a microscopic size. However, the hands of the clock include magnifying lenses,enlarging the numbers as they pass over them, so that they become readable,bringing attention to the current hour. (Designed by Rafael Morgan)
14. It’s About Time
A clock using the hands as a call to action for the sake of the environment. Two clear discs, with type printed on, rotating to communicate the message and the time. (Designer: unknown)
15. 24h Sentence Maker Wall Clock
A way to measure time with sentences. The different hours are words and the word IS is written in the middle of the clock. A new sentence every hour, 24 sentences a day. (Designed by Marti Guixe)
16. Book Clock
This stack of colorful books function as a clock. A perfect disguise on any bookshelf. (buy)
17. Mike Mak Clock
Clock consists of two eyes and they turn in order to show time. (Designed by Mike Mak)
18. Mhin Clock
Mhin is made from ceramic (body), rubber and metal (‘hands’). Its function and form constitutes a solid simplicity not firmly set in any era or movement. These decisions were made in order to aid longevity and ensure that the design intent remains intact over time. (Designed by James Tobin)
19. Clock Made From A Recycled Magnetic Tape Reel
This clock was made from an old magnetic tape reel that was headed for the trash heap. It is approximately 7″ in diameter and comes complete with a new quartz drive and runs on 1 AA battery. (Designed by pixelthis)
20. The “Clock”
More than 150 individual clockworks are put together to become one clock. Reading clockwise, the time being is visible through a word and readable by the completeness of the word, 12 words from “one” to “twelve”. (Designed by Christiaan Postma)
21. The Meaning Of Time
You can use just about anything as long as it fits through the holes. (Designed by Bomi Kim)
22. Dish Time Clock
Designed by: Lau Design
23. Uomino Clocks
Uomino is an appropriate clock for people always on the go since it quite literally gives the impression that time is running away. (Designed by diamantini & domeniconi)
24. Redundant Clock
Redundant Clock uses hands oriented toward the hour markings for its hour markings. (Designed by Ji Lee)
25. En Suspend
Clocks deliver three useful items in one a mirror (stainless steel), wall clock, and hook. (Designed by diamantini & domeniconi)