A mechanical counter has a wheel for each digit with the numerals 0 to 9 around it. The units wheel turns continuously; when it passes from 9 to 0, a tooth nudges the tens wheel on by one — so a wheel only moves while the one to its right is rolling over. This face follows that rule exactly.
That makes the fastest digit creep upward all the time while the slower ones stay put and then roll over together, which is oddly satisfying to watch on a stopwatch. The seconds-tens wheel stops at 5 and wraps to 0, and the minute and hour wheels do the same, as a counting-wheel clock would.
Where it's useful
- A mechanical-looking stopwatch for a stream or video
- A counter-style countdown for a launch
- A clock that shows time as moving parts
- A talking point for a page about old machines
Three ways to use it
- Clock — the time of day in your time zone or any city, in 12- or 24-hour form.
- Stopwatch — counts up with laps; press Lap while it runs.
- Countdown — counts down from any time you set, sounds at zero, then counts overtime.
Every face runs entirely in your browser, remembers your settings on this device, and can be embedded on your own page.
Similar faces
Questions
How does an odometer turn the next wheel?
A tooth on each wheel engages the next one only when the wheel passes from 9 to 0, so the higher digits move only when they need to.
Why do the digits move slightly before they change?
That is the roll-over: a wheel creeps between two numbers while the one beside it is turning, then settles.
Can I recolour it?
Yes. The accent colour shifts the brass frame and numeral highlights.