How to Quiet a Noisy Clock

This clock is readable without the second hand.

Quartz clocks tick as the hands circle the hours, and the noise is particularly noticeable during quiet times. While the movement itself cannot be quieted, the offending hand can be removed to quell the noise. The second hand ticks the most frequently of the three clock hands, and removing it will eliminate 59 ticks per minute.

Things You'll Need

• Clean towel
• Screwdriver

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Instructions

1. Lay a soft, clean towel on a flat surface. Place the clock facedown on the towel.

2. Unscrew the screws holding the back of the clock in place. Set the screws together on the towel, so you do not lose them. The size and number of screws varies on different clocks.

3. Pull the back of the clock straight up and carefully flip it over to avoid dislodging loose parts. Remove the batteries. Place all removed parts on the towel.

4. Unscrew the master screw holding the hand mechanism together. Place the screw on the towel to avoid losing it. Lift the entire hand mechanism straight up and out of the clock body.

5. Remove all hands from the clock. Set the second hand on the towel and replace the minute and hour hands. Screw the minute and hour hands back into place.

6. Replace the batteries in your clock. Turn over the back of the clock and put it in its original position. Screw the back on the clock. Set the time according to the manufacturer's instructions.

References

• W.B. Noble: On Clocks and Things
• The Clock Gallery: Time Trivia