How to Set a Wind Up Alarm Clock

Wind up alarm clocks are charming. The sound they make--tick, tock, tick, tock--is strangely comforting. You can use them anywhere and you don't have to recharge them. If you're concerned that the electricity might go off while you sleep, and you absolutely, positively cannot be late for your morning appointment, use a wind up alarm clock. It will tick, tock right through a power outage and ring its alarm to wake you up on time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the back of the clock. There will be two buttons and two wind-up keys.

2. Set the clock time. Use the button labeled "clock" to move the hands to set the clock to the current, correct time.

3. Wind the clock. Use the wind-up key labeled "clock," and turn it clockwise until it stops. Once it stops, do not force it to turn or it will break.

4. Set the alarm. Use the button labeled "alarm" to move the third, smaller than the other two clock hand to set the alarm. If you want the alarm to go off at 7:00, move the small hand so it is exactly on the number 7. If you want the alarm to go off at 7:30, move the small hand so it is half way between numbers 7 and 8.

5. Wind the alarm. Use the wind-up key labeled "alarm." Turn it clockwise until it stops. Do not try to force it to turn any further.

6. Activate the alarm. On almost every wind up alarm clock the alarm is set by pulling out the button that is used to set the time the alarm will go off (see Step 4). On some models, there is a separate button, usually labeled "alarm," which should be pulled out to set the alarm.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no AM or PM on a wind up alarm clock. If you go to bed at 6:30 PM and set the alarm for 7:30, you'll only get one hour of sleep. On some wind up alarms, you'll find a picture of a clock instead of the word "clock," and a picture of a bell instead of the word "alarm."