PROS: Affordability. Five-inches-high compactness. Atomic-clock accuracy. Selectable daylight-saving-time mode. Very accurate thermometer. Legibility of the time-and-calendar LCD. Shiny black front "frame," together with silvery highlights, let this Sharp model serve as not only a “desktop” but also a “wall” clock whose looks and size tastefully complement one or more wall decorations (e.g., sports-team sublimated plaques).
CONS: While my Kansas City location lets me point clock ANY direction and still receive the Colorado atomic radio-broadcast signal, very distant or problematic locations may require clock's rear/front to point DIRECTLY toward Colorado. Regarding LCD BACKLIGHT: Undeniably appealing blue, temporary (five-seconds) backlight must be activated by PRESSING DOWNWARD (not just touching) the extra-wide, topmost button, which — for no really good reason — emits not only a slightly annoying mechanical click but also a high-pitched, low-volume, electronic beep. The combination of those two simultaneous noises, especially if repeated nightly, could significantly irritate certain would-be sleepers.
* * *
TWO EXCERPTS FROM MY BELOW DISCUSSION:
"Anyway, in my location this model's atomic-clock functionality remains admirably impressive and highly satisfying."
"And thus the displayed time-and-calendar information will surely remain accurate for the duration of this Sharp product's useful life, which could well be a great many years."
* * *
I myself didn’t buy this product to use as an ALARM clock. Instead, I bought this versatile (desktop-and-wall-compatible) clock specifically — for an area lit brightly enough for art display — to mount closely between two vertically arranged pro-football team WALL plaques having black “frames” whose matching sizes and configurations fortuitously resemble the rather shiny black front "frame" of this tastefully styled Sharp clock.
I had initially been seeking a battery-powered clock that featured not only such a black “frame” but also atomic (aka radio-controlled) time-and-calendar accuracy — together with suitable compactness (i.e., height no greater than five inches). Frankly, this was the ONLY such clock that I managed to find after a LOT of searching via Amazon’s pertinent product pages.
The upshot is that this model has worked out fully splendidly for my aforementioned DECORATIVE purpose (not to mention the welcome functionality of its very accurate thermometer and the excellent legibility of its time-and-calendar display).
HIGHLY SATISFYING ATOMIC-CLOCK PERFORMANCE:
[Note: As with essentially any "atomic-clock" product, the pertinent Colorado radio-broadcast signal is best received during OVERNIGHT hours. MOREOVER, this particular Sharp (model SPC932) clock's REAR or FRONT — in certain locations that are extremely distant from Colorado and/or are in unusually "reception-challenged" settings — may need to be pointed DIRECTLY toward Colorado. My particular "wall" installation in suburban Kansas City — on the first floor of my multilevel house — required the clock's rear to point northward (i.e., NOT toward Colorado); otherwise, I likely could've obtained even better results than what I report below.]
Having now used this clock for two weeks, I can happily report that I began 12 of 14 mornings (routinely rising around 7:30 AM CST from my night's sleep) by beholding the "atomic signal found" icon triumphantly displayed steadily on the LCD.
And even in the two instances that the morning-time "atomic signal found" icon was surprisingly absent from the display, it appeared to merely signify that although the FINAL nightly signal-reception attempt had itself failed, at least one or two of the preceding hourly attempts within that same overnight session had likely succeeded. Anyway, on those two unusual mornings the situation LUCKILY proved immediately perfectible — with no need to remove the clock from the wall — by simply MANUALLY pressing-and-holding the "WAVE" key to initiate a new radio-signal-reception attempt which did prove successful on the first try. [But I subsequently learned that such convenient luck doesn't happen "every single time" when this clock's rear/front isn't pointed toward Colorado!]
Regarding this model’s "automatic overnight" searches for the atomic clock radio signal, Sharp's included instruction manual states: "If the clock fails to synchronize in the first attempt, the signal is usually received by morning the next day." I've found that statement true indeed with my specimen of this clock. For, my own close observations (during TWO randomly selected nights) revealed the following facts:
(1) At exactly 1:03 AM CST, the first "automatic overnight" radio-signal-reception attempt began (the pertinent "searching for atomic signal" icon began flashing); and that attempt did prove successful (causing the pertinent "atomic signal found" icon to stay steadily on the display). Next, the clock correctly REPEATED another such radio-signal-reception attempt exactly one hour later (2:03 AM CST). However, THAT particular attempt FAILED (causing the prior "atomic signal found" icon to vanish from the display). Thereafter, the clock correctly continued automatically initiating still more such hourly signal-search attempts during the remaining overnight hours in the session; and at least the FINAL such attempt did prove successful, because I happily beheld the presence of the "atomic signal found" icon (remaining steadily on the display) when I awoke around 7:30 AM CST.
(2) Several days later, I noticed that the 3:03 AM CST radio-signal-search attempt FAILED. But the very next hourly attempt (at 4:03 AM CST) succeeded (leaving an "atomic signal found" icon steadily on the display). And then — FINALLY — at 5:03 AM CST the clock correctly did NOT initiate any additional attempt to synchronize with the atomic radio signal. (The prior hour's "atomic signal found" icon correctly remained steadily on the display.)
Now, could I unhesitatingly say this Sharp model (SPC932) is the "ultimate" paragon of atomic-clock performance? Well, almost but not absolutely. In contrast to several "less finicky or particular" products within my large collection of atomic clocks (including a different Sharp model and sundry competing brands), this model SPC932 — particularly if its rear/front isn't pointed toward Colorado — may, very infrequently, struggle or fail to synchronize with the Colorado broadcast signal. With that said, the truly trivial degree of difference between this model and one embodying "perfect" atomic-clock-synchronization reliability shouldn't matter to most consumers — especially when factoring not only this model's affordability but also its other fine features collectively.
Anyway, in my location this model's atomic-clock functionality remains admirably impressive and highly satisfying. [In this general vein, I recall reading a couple of other Amazon customer reviewers — in, respectively, Canadian and Connecticut locations — who mentioned their specimens of this Sharp model being indeed capable of receiving the atomic radio signal all right, as long as those clocks' rears/fronts were pointed toward Colorado. In contrast, still another Amazon customer reviewer — in exceedingly distant Hawaii — reported being utterly unable to get his specimen of this model to receive that Colorado signal.]
In sum, I deem this atomic clock model a trustworthy keeper, insofar as I foresee it — judging from my particular installation within a Kansas City suburb — never failing to update itself at least two or three times during each automatically recurring, extended overnight session comprising MULTIPLE hourly signal-search attempts. And thus the displayed time-and-calendar information will surely remain accurate for the duration of this Sharp product's useful life, which could well be a great many years.
[Incidentally, MANUALLY pressing-and-holding the "WAVE" button to initiate a search for the atomic radio signal, I've also happily successfully tested this same Sharp specimen in various other locations of my multilevel house — not only elsewhere on the first floor and then out in the attached windowless garage with both driveway doors fully closed, but also down in the fully-underground finished basement and finally upstairs on the second and third floors. In all of those other locations, atomic-clock functionality was maximally enhanced whenever the clock's rear/front was pointed DIRECTLY toward Colorado. On the second and third floors — where signal reception was noticeably at its very best — the "searching for atomic signal" icon began flashing at full-signal-bars strength within about five seconds (even at such DAYTIME junctures as 3:00 and 4:45 PM CST); and the ensuing "atomic signal found" icon most quickly appeared — within two minutes.]
Bottom line, especially recalling this radio-controlled model's unique combination of "five-inches-high" compactness and "shiny-black-frame" stylishness being so felicitous for my aforementioned DECORATIVE purpose, I'm thoroughly delighted and grateful to Sharp for creating — for me — the "perfect" little atomic wall clock!
* * *
P.S.: Under the subheading “Words to the Wise,” I’ll leave you with two vital reminders:
First, I strongly advise that you DON’T TOUCH the — at least initially — strikingly beautifully shiny-black-plastic portions of this product’s front, especially if you aim to install it in a location where bright ambient light will readily reveal even the slightest fingerprint smudge or fingernail scratch. Be proudly prudent by touching only the outermost edges.
Second, do not initially neglect to MANUALLY select your location’s TIME ZONE. Essentially every atomic-clock retail product absolutely requires that particular bit of manual user input, in order to display the correct HOURLY time.
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Product Description
Easy to Read - Easy to Use - Atomic Accuracy
The Sharp Atomic Desktop & Wall Clock has a built in receiver that automatically synchronizes itself with the WWVB radio broadcast by the US Government ‘s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Sharp Atomic Clock will always be accurate to within one second as it receives daily WWVB updates.
Never Needs Setting - Indoor Temperature Readings & Calander
- The Sharp Atomic Wall Clock has a built in receiver that automatically synchronizes itself with the WWVB radio broadcast by the US Government ‘s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Sharp Atomic Clock will always be accurate to within one second as it receives daily WWVB updates.
- Indoor Temperature sensor is located in the Atomic clock unit itself, and gives the ambiant temperature of the room.
- · Calendar and Day of Week Display - Always know what day of the week it is with a quick glance. The clock displays the calendar and the day of the week.
Easy to Read - Desktop or Wall Mount - Battery Operated
- Month, Date and Day are clearly shown and are updated automatically by the WWVB radio broadcast by the US Government ‘s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Fort Collins, Colorado.
- The Sharp Atomic Clock (Model - SPC963) can be easily mounted to the wall or can be used on table top or desk with the built in stand.
- No cords! The clock runs off of battery power and can be used almost anywhere. The Main Display unit uses 3 x AA batteries(not included)
Sharp (SPC963) - East to Read Blue Backlit on Demand
Backlight on Demand - Press the snooze button on top of the clock to illuminate the whole display for 5 seconds. The backlight will also illuminate when the alarm sounds.
Use as Alarm Clock or Desk Clock
The easy to read clock can be used on a table or desk and can be seen from across the room. The indoor temperature is shown below the time, along with the Day, Month, and Date - and NEVER NEEDS SETTING for easy use.
Smaller Size Wall mount Clock for Smaller Spaces
The clock measures 5" x 6.45" and is the prefect size for when wall space is at a minimum. Battery operated, so it will fit anywhere!
SHARP - A Name You Can Trust.
Sharp has been making quality alarm clocks for over 25 years and is the largest suppler of Retail Alarm Clocks in the United States with over 61,000,000 sold. Millions trust us with helping them start their day and staying on track.
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This Item  Sharp Atomic Desktop Clock – Auto Set Digital Alarm Clock - Atomic Accuracy - Easy to Read Screen with Time/Date/Temperature Display- Perfect for Nightstand or Desk | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $19.99 | $24.99 | $24.99 | $29.99 | $34.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 22 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 22 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 22 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 22 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 22 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | — | NYL Holdings | WallarGe Direct | DreamSky Direct | WallarGe Direct | The Clock Shop - Sharp |
| material | Plastic | Plastic | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) | Wood | — | Plastic |
| shape | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular | Trapezoid | Rectangular | Square |
| mounting type | Wall Mount, Tabletop | Desk Clock,Wall Mount | Tabletop, Wallmount | Tabletop | Wall Mount | Wall Mount |
| operation mode | Atomic | Electrical | Atomic | Electrical | Atomic | Atomic |
| signal format | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital |
| style | Digital | Modern | Digital Atomic | wooden alarm clock | digital | Contemporary |
| watch movement type | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | digital clock | Automatic | Automatic |
| alarm clock | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| battery quantity | — | 2 aa | 3 aaa | — | 5 aa | — |
| batteries included | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Perfect size
We recently replaced my husband’s clock (very same brand and same features) that the snooze button quit working. I searched for the same one at Walmart as it was where I first bought it, now they no longer carry it so I searched it on Amazon and was so happy to see that Amazon still have that same clock. What we like about this clock is that the light on the display stays unlit until you hit the button to see what the time is. Also the size of this clock is perfect as it’s not too big or too little. The numbers are pretty good size to read easily.
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- MRS S COLDICUTTReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2023
Unsuitable for use in Britain. Only can be used in America
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