1. Will these tide clocks work at my location?

Tidepieces tide clocks, like all mechanical tide clocks, will work anywhere there are two regular high and low tides each day. That kind of tide cycle, called semidiurnal, covers a lot of territory around the world!  Users on the US Atlantic Coast only need to set the clock once, after which it will run reliably with minimal adjustment. Users on the Pacific Coast will need to adjust the clock from time to time depending on the local tide table. No current mechanical tide clocks will work reliably for locations on the Gulf of Mexico (we’re working on that!).

2. Does the tide clock need to be near the water?

Nope. Just set the clock according to any location you wish to track. Could be where you are, or where you wish you were! One of our Tidepieces clients hangs his clock in his office in Arkansas but set it to track the tide at his house in North Carolina! You only need to be able to look up the tide for your chosen location. And, again, it needs to be a location with semidiurnal tides (two regular high and low tides per day…most places!)

3. How do these clocks work?

The tide change is very rhythmic in most locations and the interval from one tide to the next is typically six hours, twelve and a half minutes. This is related to the rhythm of the orbit of the Moon around the Earth, which makes sense becasue the Moon is the primary (but not only) driving force behind the tide. Tidepieces clock mechanical movements are specially built to follow this tidal cycle, as opposed to a time clock, which is tuned to the rotation of the Earth every 24 hours. The tidal day is 24h 50min, which is why the tide times are never the same two days in a row.

You can learn more on the About the Tides page.

4. How does the "water" in the clock move?

Um, it’s magic.

5. How long will the battery last?

Tidepieces tide clocks will run on a single good quality AA battery for about a year, sometimes more. If you can’t remember that then just change the battery every time you do your smoke detectors. You do your smoke detectors, don’t you?

6. Can I have a custom image used in the clock?

Yes! Clients have ordered clocks that show all sorts of things: homes, boats, dogs, horses, kids, whatever. Email me at alan@tidepieces.com and we'll see what can be done with your idea.

6. Do you do all the paintings?

All original paintings for Tidepieces clocks were done by watercolorist Ian Winick. Digital graphic images are created by Alan Winick.