The clock is not bad if you want to get rid of the annoying tick-tock. Design is always a matter of taste and before or after it does not go well. BUT ... I have the clock now for 6 months and will not shake the feeling that the noise level increases. Due to the continuous rise of the second hand of this noise is also permanently audible. The sound is not loud, but audible in a quiet room in 2-3m distance. Even if the whining at a high level, so it ought to be no sounds loud Product description .... In the instructions I have just read that with light sensor stops to save energy when it is dark, the second hand. Let's see if you can persuade the clock by covering the sensor, this permanently, quiet and what makes up for the noise. Stylistically, the clock is so then a little lost, but you can not seem to have it all.