Clock 

Clock: the speedcubing puzzle with clocks

Clock looks different from a 3x3 cube, and you solve it differently too. You don't turn layers here. Instead, you turn the wheels and flip the pins. The puzzle is solved when all the clocks on both sides point to twelve o'clock. The classic Clock is an official WCA competition event. In this category you'll find both competition models and unusual variants with more clocks.

How does Clock work?

A standard Clock has nine clocks on each side, 18 clock faces in total. You turn the clocks with four wheels (gears) located in the corners of the puzzle. Four pins between the clocks decide which faces are connected at any given moment and turn together. A pin pushed in on one side sticks out on the other, so every move combines a pin setting with a wheel turn. A popular beginner method is to solve a cross of clocks on both sides first and only then the corner clocks.

Magnetic Clock: what to look for

Most speedcubing models in this category have magnets in the mechanism. This applies, for example, to the QiYi Magnetic Clock, the ShengShou (SengSo) Magnetic Clock and the ESTAR Clock. The magnets snap the hand into each successive hour position, so you feel a clear click with every step and it's harder to leave a clock between hours. This matters a lot in fast solving, because in the end every clock face has to be set exactly.

A single model can also come in different versions. The ESTAR Clock is available in Standard and Bearing versions. The Bearing version has bearings designed to give faster and more consistent wheel turning. It's aimed mainly at people who practise Clock for time. SengSo offers V2 versions with a redesigned magnet system. QiYi releases limited editions that differ mainly in the finish of the casing.

A competition Clock or 4x4 and 5x5 variants?

For learning and competing, choose the classic Clock with nine clocks per side. Models of this type are grouped in the Clock WCA subcategory. Check the pins before you compete. WCA regulations don't allow puzzles with loose pins, meaning pins that move under their own weight rather than when pushed.

Variants labelled 3x3, 4x4 or 5x5 Clock are separate puzzles. They are made by SengSo, QiYi and C4U, among others, and MoYu offers the Weilong Clock 4x4 M. They have more clocks and wheels, so they give a tougher challenge to people who already know the classic model. They aren't WCA events, so they work better as collection pieces and curiosities than for competition practice.