There is probably no single day of the year when clocks - whether grandfather clocks or wall clocks or mantel clocks - get more views than on New Years Eve.  The same holds true for wristwatches and other timepieces, whether tuning in on television to celebrate in cities around the country and world, or celebrating with immediate family and or a few close friends at home.

This is enough to make 1-800-4CLOCKS still relevant and shows the continued need and desirability, not to mention obsession, with the passing of time, and done so in an elegant way.

Atomic clocks, with their at least theoretical one-billionth of a second accuracy for the most accurate ones, and even computer clocks syncing with Atomic Time can supplant the need to be on the same page by watching television network broadcasts.  But a sense of a global community would still be missing and can be enhanced, at least for many, by joining the world with televised broadcasts of the exploits and celebrations in cities around the world.

Some households and parties will no doubt be celebrating around clocks they have purchased from 1-800-4CLOCKS as 2007 winds down and 2008 is welcomed in. We have seen this trend as it has been volunteered to us by some of our customers.  Whether a grandfather clock or grandmother clock, atomic or wall clock, mantel or anniversary clock, or a Rolex or Casio wristwatch, or a cell phone or iPod’s timekeeper, time will be marked by the device of your choice, whether your own or a communal resource like New York’s Times Square with its remarkable display and countdown to 2008.

Let us know if you and yours have any special stories or celebrations to share about how you rang in 2008, and whether a timepiece played a key, or even dare we say interesting, role.

This blogger has a somewhat unusual way of ringing in the New Year, which usually involves being in a movie theater (watching a movie, in case you are wondering), and not even knowing exactly when the clock is approaching, reaching, or passing midnight.

Please share your stories, and have a great time and happy and healthy year in 2008, however you mark time.

Just this morning we got a call from a lady who wanted to know if she could buy a clock she had seen somewhere once before which had twelve different types of frogs pictured on each hour, and with a different frog sound chimed on each hour.  Talk about a niche clock!

But it got us thinking.  What kinds of clocks that are not readily out there would you like to see?

Here are some types of clocks we have heard a need about.  Please email us or post on this blog if you see needs or markets for other types of everyday clocks.

1. How about helping to keep close to perfect time with a full size grandfather clock with Atomic Timekeeping aside from its obvious home decor value.

2. What about alarm clocks that do not make any ticking or other sounds.

3. Clocks to wake up the sleeping dead - alarm clocks that could help even the heaviest of sleepers be sure to wake up.

4. Large digital time numeral clocks, including wall clocks, and without all the bells and whistles of temperature, day, date, month and perhaps even your horoscope.  As the general population is aging. we hear more and more about the need for clocks with larger digits. We also hear more about institutions wanting time only digital wall clocks.

5. Computer and handheld PDA and Apple iPod or cell phone clocks - many interesting ones out there.  Anything you would like to see available that has not yet hit the market?  Also, how much do people rely on these clocks anyway.

6. CLocks with photos of your special someone. or even your entire family with, say, one person’s photo on each hour.  Would you want or buy one of these?

All clocks suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

A question we receive on a somewhat regular basis, especially from the younger generation, is whether watches and clocks risk becoming obsolete as cell phones, iPods, and other handheld devices emerge as omnipresent devices. Our short answer is an emphatic NO. Aside from the obvious decorative aspects of clocks and the personal style and accessory nature of watches, there is still likely to always be the ease of use and speed factor of having a dedicated device, whether it be on your wrist, on your kitchen wall, or on your office desk or kitchen wall. Also, grandfather clocks chiming and striking the hours can be replicated electronically, but the overall experience would never be the same. Wall clocks, mantel clocks, atomic clocks, and especially novelty clocks are likely to be here to stay, we predict for at least the next 50 years!

Disagree? Tell us why, hopefully thoughtfully, here on this clocks blog. Thanks!

Well, Thanksgiving has now come and gone, and the crazy mad rush shopping season has begun.  While most people are thinking about ipods, or plasma or HDTV televison sets, there are many businesses and individuals who are also looking to clocks as anything from corporate business gifts to prized possessions to be given as presents for weddings, anniversaries, important birthdays, from children to parents, and from parents to children, as cherished timeless keepsakes to be handed from generation to generation.  And of course, there are some who find a grandfather clock as the elusive perfect personal present for Christmas or Holiday gift giving for their spouse, for themselves, or other close relatives.

Not only grandfather clocks are becoming more common as heirloom gifts, but 1-800-4CLOCKS is also seeing an increase of gift giving by individuals and corporations with wall clocks, mantel clocks, novelty clocks, atomic clocks, and of course the gift for good corporate citizens and corporate customers or for corporate promotions of the marketing variety.

More choices and styles are also making doing your homework that much more important.  Clocks now feature more chimes than ever - you can hear the Westminster, Whittington, St Michaels, Schubert’s Ave Maria and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy Ode on the 1-800-4CLOCKS website for clocks that feature these chimes.  Other features such as volume control, lit cabinets, automatic night time chime shut-off option, and many more physical styles, including contemporary. modern, and old style, make clock shopping both more fun and more challenging than ever.  Also, without naming names, it is amazing the number of customers who come to 1-800-4CLOCKS after looking at clocks at many of the largest Retailers around the country, and can see the difference between a cheaply made clock, which 1-800-4CLOCKS attempts to carry none of, and one which is well-made.  The hallmark brands such as Howard Miller, Seth Thomas, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle, Bulova, and Movado help ensure years of lasting quality and fine craftsmanship and materials.

As many of the higher-end clocks are increasingly being looked to as heirloom gifts, consumers and businesses are fortunate to have more GOOD choices than ever before.  Just be sure to look carefully before you leap.