76cm rustic gold metal gear wall clock with Roman numerals and decorative gears

Skeleton vs Gear Wall Clocks: Which Suits Your Room?

Skeleton and gear clocks are the two most popular styles of large metal wall clock. They look similar at first glance, but they create quite different moods in a room.

What is a skeleton wall clock?

A skeleton clock has no solid face. The numerals, usually Roman, are joined by a thin metal frame, so the wall shows through the middle. The result is light and elegant, even at a very large size. It is the easiest way to put an 88cm clock on a wall without it feeling heavy.

Best for: living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, traditional and classic interiors, and rooms where you want a large statement without a solid block on the wall.

What is a gear wall clock?

A gear clock is a skeleton clock with a cluster of gears or cogs at the centre. It nods to old factory and station clocks and gives a room an industrial, mechanical feel. On our gear clocks the gears are decorative and stay still; only the hands move.

Best for: industrial and loft-style rooms, home offices, kitchens with metal or brick finishes, man caves and modern spaces that need character.

Metal or MDF?

Many gear clocks are made from printed MDF or wood. A clock made entirely of metal looks sharper close up, with real depth in the frame and gears. All of our gear wall clocks are 100% metal.

Gold or silver?

  • Rustic gold warms a room. It works with cream, white, deep green, navy, wood and brass. See our gold wall clocks.
  • Rustic silver suits grey, white, black and monochrome schemes, concrete-look surfaces and chrome. See our silver wall clocks.

A simple test: look at the metal already in the room, such as door handles, light fittings and picture frames, and match the clock to it.

Want colour instead?

If neither metal finish feels right, a colourful retro clock adds a bold block of colour and suits kitchens, playrooms and eclectic rooms.

Quick summary

  • Want elegant and light? Choose a skeleton clock.
  • Want industrial character? Choose a gear clock.
  • Big wall? Go for 88cm. Average wall? 76cm.

Not sure on size? Read what size wall clock for a living room.

Clocks mentioned in this guide

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