Industrial Wall Clocks: How to Style a Large Gear Clock

Industrial wall clocks take their look from old factories and workshops: exposed metal, visible mechanisms and a weathered finish. A large gear clock brings that feel to a room in one piece. Here is how to make it work.

What makes a clock "industrial"?

• Metal construction rather than plastic or MDF.
• An open, skeleton-style frame so the wall shows through.
• Gears or mechanical details that suggest the workings of a clock.
• A rustic or aged finish instead of a shiny, new look.

Our 76cm gear wall clocks tick every box: made entirely of metal with no MDF or wood, with Roman numerals on an open frame around a cluster of gears at the centre. The gears are decorative and do not move, and the movement is silent, so there is no ticking.

Rooms that suit an industrial clock

• Loft-style living rooms with exposed brick, concrete or wood floors.
• Kitchens and kitchen-diners with metal fittings, pendant lights or open shelving.
• Home offices, where a large clock is both useful and a talking point.
• Hallways and landings with a dark feature wall.

Best wall colours

Because the frame is open, the wall colour becomes part of the clock. Dark walls – charcoal, navy, forest green or black – make a gold or silver frame stand out. Exposed brick gives a classic warehouse look. On a white wall the clock looks lighter and more graphic.

Rustic gold or rustic silver?

• Rustic gold warms up a room and suits wood, brass, leather and warm white bulbs.
• Rustic silver suits grey, black and white schemes, chrome or steel fittings and cooler light.

Still unsure? Our guide to choosing a gold or silver wall clock goes into more detail.

Getting the size right

At 76cm across, these clocks are about the width of a standard UK internal door, so they suit most living room walls, chimney breasts and kitchen walls. Leave at least 15–20cm of clear wall around the clock. If you have a very large wall, consider an 88cm extra large clock instead. See skeleton vs gear wall clocks for how the two styles compare.

Styling tips

• Pair the clock with a pair of metal scroll wall candle sconces either side for a balanced wall.
• Keep nearby decor simple – metal, wood and plants work well.
• Use warm lighting in the evening to bring out the rustic finish.
• Hang it from the single hanging point behind the 12 with a fixing suited to your wall – see how to hang a large wall clock.

Each clock runs on one AA battery (not included). Browse the industrial gear wall clocks – free express UK delivery in 2–4 working days.