Balmuda’s The Clock combines custom sounds with a minimalist design for a more pleasant wake-up experience.
Dieter Rams demonstrated that even a basic alarm clock can be elegant. Balmuda, a Japanese company known for its steam-infused toasters, has launched a travel-friendly alarm clock named The Clock. Its minimalist design echoes Braun’s classic alarm clocks, enhancing it with subtle illuminated accents instead of traditional moving hands.
Constructed from a single block of aluminum, The Clock measures about four inches tall with a carrying loop and control dial, weighing approximately 260 grams. Its illumination system, Light Hour, features glowing numbers for 12 hours, with minutes and seconds displayed as concentric rings of tick marks. Animations indicate the passage of time. Currently available in Japan for ¥59,400 (around $375), international availability has not been announced.
Designed by Balmuda founder Gen Terao, The Clock was created as an alternative to using a bright tablet for rain sounds to aid sleep. It includes three main functions. Relax Time mode plays original recordings such as falling rain, a fireplace, and a flowing river. These sounds are also used for alarms, which start softly three minutes before the set time and gradually increase in volume.
The focus mode, adjustable from one to 60 minutes, plays white noise through stereo speakers to minimize distractions. With Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it connects to a mobile app for easier programming and customization. However, its battery life lasts only up to 24 hours of continuous use, requiring daily charging which may be a disadvantage.