C4U 4x4 Clock

C4U 4x4 Clock

C4U 4x4 Clock is an enlarged version of the classic Clock from Cube4You (C4U). Instead of 9 dials on each side, it has 16, arranged in a 4x4 grid. The goal stays the same: set all the hands to 12 o'clock on both sides of the puzzle. The extra dials change how you have to think about it, though, because each pin affects many more pieces here.

How it differs from the regular Clock

There are 9 pins between the dials, arranged in a 3x3 layout. Each pin connects the four dials around it, so almost every dial depends on several pins at once. Methods from the standard Clock don't carry over directly, so you need to work out the move combinations from scratch. If you have already mastered the 3x3 Clock, this is a great chance to understand the puzzle's mechanics from a different angle.

How to handle it

The mechanism has many interconnected parts. When several pins are up, the wheels turn noticeably harder because more of the gears are in motion. In that case it's better to turn several wheels at the same time rather than forcing a single one. This puts less strain on individual parts. We also advise against taking the puzzle apart: there are small parts inside that easily slip out and get lost.

Who is it for?

This puzzle is for those who already know the regular Clock and are looking for something more challenging, as well as for collectors of unusual Clock variants. It is not a speedsolving model. The Clock event at WCA competitions uses the standard version with 9 dials on each side. For a first Clock, including for a child, the regular 3x3 Clock is a better choice. The 4x4 Clock is harder to turn and requires more patience.

Specifications

• Type: 4x4 Clock (Clock variant)
• Manufacturer: C4U (Cube4You)
• Dials: 16 on each side, in a 4x4 grid
• Pins: 9, each connected to the four neighbouring dials
• Colour: Purple