To those who think that all clocks are alike, it's time to think again. Today, clocks do more than simply tell time; they are an expression of your personal style. Whether you're in the market for a watches or wall clocks, alarm clocks or patio clocks, your choices have never been more varied. Here is an overview of the versatile world of timepieces.



Atomic Clocks

If you're like most people, you've probably experienced times when you've wondered whether the time on your watch, the clock in your car, or the alarm clock in your hotel room is running slow or fast. Perhaps the person you're meeting at 3:00 hasn't yet appeared, or you were surprised when you arrived at a meeting ten minutes after everyone else. While some of us always seem to run a bit early or late, the culprit is often the timepiece we use. When that's the case, the best solution is to welcome atomic digital clocks into your life.

What is an atomic clock? Well, it's a large device that measures the movement cycles of the caesium-133 atom and microwaves to obtain ultra-accurate frequency measurements. Governments rely on atomic clocks to precisely keep a country's official time, and they're the basis for GPS systems. For our purposes, though, the atomic digital clocks and watches that are available on the market don't actually keep atomic time; instead, they pick up radio signals from actual atomic clocks and set the time accordingly. In other words, unlike plain analog clocks or plain digital wall clocks, atomic timepieces are always accurate. This holds true even when an area switches to Daylight Saving Time and back again, making it a sure thing that you'll always know what time it is.

Clocks that Make a Style Statement

Clocks are more than purely functional. Wall clocks are an integral part of our home decor, for example, while watches can help us make a fashion statement. Here are some of the more popular styles today:

Pendulum Clocks - With their swinging pendulums, these clocks hearken back to the days of old. The reassuring tick-tock combines with the old world charm of Roman numerals to bring warmth to any home.

Wall Art Clocks - The almost infinite variety of wall clocks enables everyone to find a clock to fit his or her home decor. From wall clocks that mimic pocket watches, to futuristic poly resin creations, to atomic analog clocks that run on batteries and convey a sense of beautiful simplicity.

Projection Alarm Clocks - In a distinct departure from analog alarm clocks, digital projection clocks are easily visible since they project the time (and, in some models, the temperature) onto your bedroom wall or ceiling. This is especially helpful for far-sighted people, who may have trouble focusing on traditional nightstand alarm clocks.

Wrought Iron Clocks - Wrought iron is making a comeback, and wrought iron wall clocks are becoming must-have items for home decor. The versatile material makes them perfect for both home and office use, while their intricate design ensures that they'll be a topic of conversation.