As gearheads, we love automotive gadgets. When someone creates something from leftover hardware, spare parts, or even when they create something that is a scale miniature that represents our hobby, we just can’t get enough of it. How many of us have diecast scale cars on our bookshelves, and peruse Costco regularly for new releases? Guilty.
When we found these unique clocks being promoted on Facebook, we just had to find out more about them. The page we saw them on was a bit suspicious – we’ve seen promotions like this before where the price is drastically reduced – and our suspicions were confirmed. The page where we found them was another one of those scam sites, and we knew it was bogus.
But the one thing we know from these scam sites is that they steal their ideas and images from a legit business. So the search continued until we came across Clock9Nine, and we found the real deal and spoke with the man who creates these unique timepieces, Matt Zufelt.
He makes several different types of clocks, ranging from desktop to wall hangers, and each clock is powered by various sources. The clock functions with a quartz movement, requiring AA batteries, while the motorized rotating gears operate via a 120-volt wall adapter; some newer versions can be plugged into a USB port, such as on a laptop or desktop computer. The gears literally turn and the double-roller chain hangs down and rotates the crank gear, too!
The clocks are made with actual timing components, such as a small-block or big-block Chevy. They combine the classic look of your favorite engine with a little patina thrown in, with the modern technology of a 3D printer. The strong PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate) filament is used for the connecting rod that supports the cam gear, as well as for the clock faces and numbers.
Clock9Nine is a family business that Matt runs along with the much-needed assistance of his better half. They sell their line to a couple of small boutiques, as well as online at his website. And for those who want to add a little splash of color, he offers them in multiple colors (including Chevy Orange – we checked) with black or gold clock hands, and a wooden or piston stand base.
Early clocks were hand-painted, but Matt says that he can now get the colors from his 3D printer and it makes them come out much nicer. Pricing on these clocks can vary from mid $70 upwards of $225, depending on the model. The wall clocks, Matt tells us, won’t rotate the gears like the desktop versions, but he said he is working on that and hopes to offer that soon.
You probably know a gearhead or two in your life that could use one of these, even if only for the conversation piece of it. We’re guessing that if you do get one and brag about it a little, make sure you keep your eye on your friends and their whereabouts… your clock just might grow some legs.