Exterior Clocks

As an architect, civil engineer or construction project manager, you know the value of designing and constructing buildings that stand apart from the crowd. One of the best ways to do that is with a precise, durable and visually appealing exterior clock.

Why should you add outdoor clocks to your buildings, and what features should you look for in a well-built and dependable exterior timepiece? This guide to exterior clocks answers these questions.

Custom Exterior Clocks and Outdoor Clocks

Custom exterior clocks and outdoor clocks are excellent for the look and functionality of a school, shopping center, business or town square. They give the building an elegant visual prominence on the landscape, drawing attention while providing the correct time.

A parent making plans to meet up with their middle schoolers after an hour at the mall might say, "Let's meet outside under the clock." Prospective students visiting a university might use the administration building's clock tower as a critical reference point to orient themselves as they explore the campus and make new friends. Shoppers, students and pedestrians can also use the clocks to keep themselves on time throughout the day.

Exterior clocks, which generally have the construction specification number 10-74-13, come in various sizes and styles. As you design a new building, you might decide to include an exterior clock in a clock tower for a majestic addition to the skyline. Or you might use a flat, LED-lit outdoor clock to add some brightness and color to the urban landscape. Whatever option you choose, National Time & Signal has the advanced technology and industry experience to craft the precise internal mechanisms to keep your clock running for years.

Exterior Clock Movements

Exterior clocks need internal mechanisms, or movements, to help them run. The clock movements we engineer and manufacture are the motors that run the clock hands. They contain gears and shafts that turn smoothly and precisely, giving the clock hands an even motion and helping the clock keep accurate, efficient time.

Our clock movements come with a few distinct features that set them apart:

Complete gearboxes: Unlike many other clock designers and manufacturers, we use complete gearboxes rather than parallel plates in our clock movements. This distinction improves our clocks' quality significantly. Because the cube-shaped gearbox has walls on all sides instead of just two plates, the gearbox holds the clock mechanism more securely. It prevents premature gear wear, even under high operational stresses, so it helps the clock movement last longer and minimizes your maintenance needs.
Transmission-style housing: Our clock movements use a transmission-style housing instead of an open frame. A transmission-style housing contains lubrication, whereas an open frame does not. The lubrication reduces friction, keeping the gears inside the housing gliding smoothly. It reduces wear and tear on the gears, minimizes maintenance needs and increases the movement's longevity.
Worm gears: Our clock movements are also distinct from many others on the market because we use unique worm gears rather than spur gears. Spur gears are common in clock movements because of their interlocking-tooth design. However, the gear train and gear shafts become susceptible to damage over time because they transmit external forces very well. Worm gears, on the other hand, use a screw-shaped gear that interlocks with the traditional round, toothed gear. This construction shields the gear train from external forces like the impacts from wind wear or a passing truck's vibrations. It keeps the gear train free from damage, boosts its longevity and minimizes repair and replacement costs.

Exterior Clock Movement Models

At National Time & Signal, our clock movements come in several different series, so you can choose the one that will best fit your vision for your exterior clock and its dimensions:

2M series: Our 2M series offers a relatively small and economical set of clock movements. The movements in this series work with dial sizes up to 42 inches in diameter and can accommodate custom shaft lengths of up to 10 inches. They have durable 115-volt, 50- or 60-hertz permanent magnet synchronous gear motors for power, and they offer the same superior worm gears as the larger models.
3M series: Our 3M series offers a slightly larger set of movements. The movements in this series work with dial sizes up to 48 inches in diameter and can accommodate custom shaft lengths of up to 12 inches. They have the same sturdy box construction our clocks are famous for.
HM series: Our HM series works with dial sizes up to 72 inches in diameter and can accommodate custom shaft lengths of up to 24 inches. The gearboxes in these movements also offer precision-machined cast-aluminum construction for enhanced durability.
4M series: Our 4M series movements fit dial sizes up to 11 feet in diameter and can accommodate custom shafts of up to 24 inches. They feature our trademark tough, durable gearbox construction.
6M-11M series: Our 6M-11M series use the same trusted worm gears as our other models and expands it over a much larger scale, fitting dial sizes up to 22 feet in diameter. Some of these models have collector rings to power LED lights in the clock hands. They are compatible with either vertical or horizontal mounting.
12M-15M series: Our 12M-15M series offers precision movement for the largest outdoor clocks. These movements fit large building clocks or stadium clocks with dial sizes of up to 50 feet in diameter. They feature welded steel plate housings for precise alignment and smooth function, as well as durable ball bearings and an option for powering neon or LED-lit hands. They are incredibly rugged and durable, having powered the large clock that famously survived the tornado that hit downtown Atlanta in 2008.

Features of National Time & Signal's Exterior Clocks

At National Time & Signal, we give our exterior clocks a blend of harmonious features that enhance each clock's overall appearance while helping it stand out attractively in the landscape. We also provide precision capabilities that enable the clocks to endure direct sunlight, harsh temperatures and extreme weather. These features give our clocks their distinctive looks and keep them ticking out the correct time day after day, year after year:

Custom designs: When you work with National Time & Signal, you can take advantage of our custom design options. You'll get a one-of-a-kind clock engineered to complement and harmonize with your overall design.
Down-to-the-millisecond precision: All our clocks come with some form of connectivity that enables them to keep the official time. Whether you choose a GPS-connected clock or a clock connected to your local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), your exterior clock will automatically sync to the officially calculated time. You'll gain the peace of mind of knowing your clock keeps people and business running on time throughout the day.
Minimal maintenance needs: We design our clocks with low maintenance and increased cost savings in mind. Our full gearboxes, self-lubricating gear trains and unique worm gears all work together to reduce wear and tear on the clock mechanism. They lower the clock's maintenance requirements and help you save time and money with fewer repairs.
Impressive longevity: We design our clocks to endure the elements and last as long as your building does, and we pride ourselves on having one of the lowest life cycle costs in the clock designing and manufacturing industry. The advanced technology and low-maintenance solutions we use help keep your clock going strong for years without requiring replacement. And because of our extensive experience with design, manufacturing, installation and service, we can provide longevity-focused services throughout your clock's life span.

Contact National Time & Signal to Learn More About Exterior Clocks

To see the benefits of an exterior clock for your next building, partner with National Time & Signal. Our architectural clocks and clock systems enhance your project's aesthetic appeal, provide precise timekeeping and hold up durably in challenging outdoor conditions.

Browse our photo gallery to see some of our most impressive results, request a quote today, or contact us to learn more about adding an outdoor clock to your design.