Shop • Products • About

Precision Clock Mk IV

The mitxela Precision Clock Mk IV is the latest development in my quest to build the best wall clock.

GPS synchronised, millisecond display. Brightness adjusts automatically, and the display doesn't flicker even when filmed at high speed (tested at 25,000FPS).

The precision is tied to the accuracy: if the GPS signal is lost, and the time starts to drift, the last few digits will progressively disappear, and only come back when it re-syncs.

Auto timezone. The clock contains an on-board world map and timezone database. Using the GPS coordinates and a point-in-polygon algorithm, the clock calculates the correct local time (including daylight saving) without any configuration, and will automatically update when carried across timezone boundaries. The USB port presents a mass storage device, so when the maps or database change, updating them is as simple as drag-and-drop.

Multiple display modes are supported, including ISO-ordinal, ISO-week, Unix timestamp, Julian date, and a high-precision countdown mode. For a full list of modes, see the user manual. More display modes may be released in future firmware updates, which again, are as simple as drag-and-drop with the USB port.

Finally, the clock can fold in half, to become more compact. The top display automatically rotates, and a small magnet holds it together. Using the clock as a clapperboard is possible, but not advised.

In the unfolded position, the clock is 53cm (21 inches) wide. Folded, it's about 27cm (10.5 inches) wide and 7cm (3 inches) tall.

This is only a brief summary – for the full story, head to the project page.

The clock is available both as a kit, and fully assembled. The kit has all of the surface mount parts pre-soldered, for an overview see the instructions here.

Please note – I am shipping these from the UK. International orders (especially Europe) will probably be subject to import duty when they arrive.

Precision Clock Mk IV Kit: £250 GBP

Precision Clock Mk IV fully assembled: £350 GBP