SengSo 5x5 Magnetic Clock

SengSo 5x5 Magnetic Clock

A bigger version of the Clock from ShengShou, sold under the SengSo brand. The classic Clock has 9 dials on each side. The SengSo 5x5 Magnetic Clock has 11, plus 5 pins and 5 wheels instead of 4. It is one of the first Clock modifications and a good next step if you have already mastered the regular Clock.

How it differs from the regular Clock

The principle stays the same: you turn the dials with the wheels, and the pin positions decide which dials move together. The goal is to set all dials to 12 o'clock on both sides. The difference is that with 11 dials and 5 pins, the familiar patterns from the 3x3 Clock are not enough. People who have solved this model point out that the center dial is moved by only one pin, and the corner dial next to it can end up in a different position than the center. Because of this, you need to rethink your method.

Mechanism and adjustment

The pins are magnetic, so they click clearly into the up and down positions. Compared with the 5x5 Clock from MoFangGe, the pins are shorter. The plastic is semi-glossy and offers average grip.

Straight out of the box, the puzzle does not turn very well. The wheels can feel stiff, and some dials do not always move the way they should. We recommend adjusting it with the adjustment screws before solving. The build quality is fine for such a niche puzzle, but it does not match top 3x3 Clocks.

ShengShou has also released a V2 version with stronger magnets in the pins, ridged wheels and rounded corners. This product is the first version.

Who is it for?

For those who already know the regular Clock and want a harder variant, and for collectors of unusual puzzles. The 5x5 Clock is not an official WCA event. For competition training, the classic 3x3 Clock is a better choice. For your first Clock, it is also better to choose the standard version.

Specifications

• Type: 5x5 Clock (11 dials on each side, 5 pins, 5 wheels)
• Manufacturer: ShengShou (SengSo brand)
• Pins: magnetic
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Dimensions: approx. 123.5 x 123.5 x 21.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 147 g
• Color: blue
• Release year: 2021
• Official WCA event: no
• In the box: puzzle, solving instructions