Novelty desk clocks

	Model D-L1803 from Hong Kong's Diffany comes in a bulb-shaped ABS housing. It has a backlight and a thermometer function.

Some eye-catching designs from Hong Kong and mainland China can emit ions, play music and read basic weather conditions.

Makers of novelty alarm clocks in Hong Kong and mainland China are converging functionality and style in their latest releases.

Responding to soaring demand for multipurpose gifts and premiums, some companies are taking typical models a notch higher. Apart from temperature and date display, recent designs can work as AM/FM radios, automatic letter openers and ion generators.

The products’ primary function is being improved as well. More versions, for instance, now boast vibrating and talking modes. In several high-end releases, the alarm can be set through voice command. To facilitate time reading, large LCD and LED screens with color-changing lights may be incorporated.

Besides functional upgrades, novelty alarm clocks are being given a stronger aesthetic appeal. New models range from toylike plastic designs for children to sleek metal versions that are suitable as corporate premiums.

Further, a growing number of suppliers are switching to earth-friendly materials as environmental awareness gains traction worldwide. In fact, an increasing number of makers are using wood and genuine leather in lieu of nonbiodegradable plastic. Even so, spray-painted HIPS, PVC and ABS are still the commonly employed housing materials mainly for their cost and domestic availability.

Diffany Development Co. Ltd’s recent designs come with an air purifier at the back that connects to a computer via USB. These emit up to 20,000 ions/cc within a 1sqm operating area. When the ionizing mode is switched on, the color of the housing panel changes. Date and temperature are likewise shown.

The company also offers bulb-shaped alarm clocks that double as thermometers. Translucent green, white, blue, orange and yellow versions are available.

Diffany’s i-LOBO brand, which stands for “I Love Original, Buy Original,” includes an array of stylish business gifts and premiums.

At Yick Li Industrial (HK) Co. Ltd, the latest range consists of vibrating and talking models with radio, calendar and thermometer functions. According to manager Joan Sung, these are specifically created for the elderly who may have difficulty reading the time. The alarm can also be set through voice command.

The latest designs from Anka Mfg Co. Ltd have LEDs around the housing, with the digit display occupying the entire face. Jumbo styles featuring spaces large enough to hold CDs are also launched.

Hong Kong suppliers are making efforts to boost R&D capability as well. Generally, companies release four or five new models each year. The majority of products are in-house styles, while about 30 percent are buyer-specified.

Similarly in the mainland, the bulk of output boasts numerous functions, with date and temperature displays the most popular add-ons. Upscale versions may have built-in radios, speakers and weather analysis capability. They come with LCD screens that can have a multicolor or hue-changing interface.

Functional alarm clocks in acrylic and metal are Shenzhen J.W. Industries Co. Ltd’s mainstream designs. Countdown timers, calendars and torches are incorporated in some releases. More-advanced units even double as automatic letter openers. Products from the company use Taiwan-made ICs.

At Guangzhou Panyu Pearl Clock & Watch Co. Ltd, a number of models serve as refrigerator magnets and compasses. Two-tone, stackable units with compartments for pens and business cards are offered as well.

Multifunction units from Actsun International Ltd work as thermometers, birthday reminders and countdown timers. Typical housings are in mixed colors and clear plastic.

Further, suppliers are raising their products’ novelty appeal.

Colorful alarm clocks patterned after the Rubik’s Cube are among Rich Forth Ltd’s best-sellers. Made of HIPS or ABS, they have a rotating mechanism to facilitate play. The company also offers multipurpose versions with slots for holding business cards and writing instruments.

Liquid-filled acrylic alarm clocks with animal-shaped ABS floaters constitute the largest part of Mei Bao Enterprises Ltd’s output in the line. The supplier sources plastic from Singapore and Japan.

At Wenzhou Times Co. Ltd, one of the latest releases comes in a housing that spells “OK.” The clock emits a musical alarm and functions as a radio.

Environmental friendliness is also being taken into account during R&D.

Yick Li, for instance, is planning to adopt genuine leather and wood in its upcoming novelty alarm clocks. Since these materials cost more than plastic, prices are predicted to be 25 percent higher than for typical ABS or PVC versions.

At Diffany, packaging styles are being made lighter to minimize ecological impact. Using fewer raw materials consequently reduces manufacturing waste.

Rich Forth has developed water-powered designs, which are about 15 percent more expensive than typical models running on batteries. According to the company, there are only about five suppliers in the mainland that can produce hydroelectric alarm clocks.

Most releases from both regions meet ASTM, EN 71, RoHS and WEEE requirements.