Why do clocks in shops always show 10:10?

[darkar]

Have any of u noticed the classic clock hang in the time shops always pointing to 10:10 ? (note: i mean the classical one, not the digital one). Do you know why?

 

[DaveC426913]

I do not know how much truth there is to this, but I've heard that Timex started this trend when photographing their products for magazines. The 10:10 (or 10 to 2) position is merely to frame their logo, which is below the 12.

 

[Moonbear]

Every clock shop I've ever been in has the clocks all on different times and all running. That's because if you want to know how they sound or what they do when they chime the hour, the owner of the clock shop just adjusts the time to the hour for you.

 

[brewnog]

My guess would just be that 10:10 and 1:50 look nice and symmetrical.

Either way, they're right twice a day...

 

[motai]

Every clock shop I've ever been in has the clocks all on different times and all running. That's because if you want to know how they sound or what they do when they chime the hour, the owner of the clock shop just adjusts the time to the hour for you.

Same here. It gets kinda irritating though, listening to all the ticking and tocking in an amalgamated fashion.. and then listening to all the various dinging every hour...

Its like having a marching band playing at the same time, but having each instrument playing a different song.

 

[matthyaouw]

I'm told that it "creates the subconscious image of a smiley face". Presumably that's supposed to be good for sales or something...

 

[Danger]

I'm told that it "creates the subconscious image of a smiley face".

But if the Timex thing is right, doesn't that predate smiley faces?

I always thought that they just kept everything running a couple of minutes apart so the constant chiming would attract the attention of shoppers (and coincidentally piss off their neighbours).

 

[franznietzsche]

Its like having a marching band playing at the same time, but having each instrument playing a different song.

And that, as we all should know, should never ever be done. Just not cool.

 

[Gokul43201]

Mostly, I'm told that the 10:10 (or thereabouts) time is frequently used because :
(i) it is symmetric and hence visually pleasing,
(ii) it doesn't block out the manufacturer or model names which are usually printed just above and below center - in fact , it may naturally bring your attention to the maker's name which is sort of cradled within the "V".

Besides the"smiley" theory, there's one more theory out there that's worth mentioning (even if it's nothing more than an oft repeated fabrication). It usually involves some statement to the effect that "time stopped when Lincoln was shot" - which I think happened around 10:14.

 

[hypatia]

A 10-10 police call in michigan means there eating lunch.

 

[Danger]

A 10-10 police call in michigan means there eating lunch.

I've seen Michigan police. For them, lunch is a 24-7 call...

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Every clock shop I've ever been in has the clocks all on different times and all running. That's because if you want to know how they sound or what they do when they chime the hour, the owner of the clock shop just adjusts the time to the hour for you.

Hmmm, I always assumed that there are large gravity variations in clock shops.