Nowadays, there are plenty of interesting timepieces on the market. Unfortunately, the cheaper they are, the more likely it is that they’ll be insufferably noisy. Luckily, most of them have removable movement mechanisms in the back that you can easily swap out with a quieter model. With that in mind, I wanted to suggest some of the best silent clock movement mechanisms I’ve seen.
Now, most clock movement mechanisms come with accessories such as hanging hooks and clock hands. Depending on the design of the clock you’re looking to upgrade, those extra parts may influence your final product choice. On top of that, you’ll want to keep the thickness of the original clock in mind. That will certainly help you narrow down your options.
But before you learn more about choosing the right silent movement mechanism for your clock, let’s take a look at the best products on the market.
Best Silent Clock Movement Mechanisms (2023)
As you know, many clock movement mechanisms on the market come with a set of replacement clock hands. But in case you already have ones you can use, let’s start this list with a review of a plain movement mechanism box.
1. ULTNICE Battery-Operated Quartz Clock Mechanism Repair Parts
If you look at the movement mechanism that’s loudly ticking away in the back of your clock, you’ll see a box similar to this one. So how can you be sure that the product from ULTNICE is any quieter than the part you have?
Well, it all comes down to the electronic oscillator that powers the device, thanks to a quartz crystal. As such, the mechanism has an error rate of 1.5 seconds more or less per day. Additionally, this mechanism will move the clock hands smoothly without the unnecessary ticking sound.
Still, the 2.2-inch square box should easily fit onto the back of any clock. Its back side features an AA battery slot as well as an adjustment dial. Meanwhile, the front is flat with a half-inch long protruding shaft.
Notably, only 0.2 inches of that, or 5 millimeters, is threaded, so your clock will need to be thinner than that. According to the manufacturer, this device is suitable for clocks that are 4 mm or 0.15 inches thick at most. If yours is any thicker, you won’t be able to fit the metal hex nut onto the threaded section from the front.
Since this product doesn’t come with clock hands, the manufacturer has also included the diameter measurements of the shaft. The threaded area is about 0.29 inches or 7.6 mm across. Above it, you have the slightly slimmer shaft that will turn the hour hand, which has a diameter of 0.21 inches or 5.5 mm. Finally, the top section of the shaft measures 0.14 inches or 3.6 mm across.
Features:
- Quartz movement mechanism box
- 12 mm total shaft length
- Fits clocks that are no more than 4 mm thick
- Doesn’t come with clock hands
2. EMOON 2-Pack Clock Movement Mechanism With 4 Pairs of Short Hands
If you’re looking for an elegant mechanism that comes with clock hands, this EMOON model will be a perfect fit. Its total shaft length is 0.75 inches or 19 mm, while the thread is only 13 mm (0.5 inches) long.
This mechanism gives you some breathing room when it comes to the clock dials it can accommodate. Namely, you can combine it with any dials ranging from 3.5 to 9 mm, or 0.125 to 0.375 inches in thickness.
In this package, you will get two clock mechanisms, and each one features four distinct hands that you can combine however you want. The hands are stylish and have a vintage decorative look, but they will fit nicely with just about any clock out there. Size-wise, they are ideal for all clocks that are over 5 inches in diameter.
The manufacturer makes sure that the products arrive at your home without any damage, so this model’s packaging is quite intricate and careful. Plus, the presentation box that comes with it makes the entire package look like a gift, meaning that you can also give it to someone as a present.
Powered by an AA battery, the hands move in a sweeping motion, eliminating any ticking. In addition, the mechanism is 99.9% precise, so its error rate is less than a second per day.
Finally, if you have never repaired your own clock before, EMOON has you covered. The mechanism and hands come with a detailed instruction manual that contains pictures of every step of the assembly. The whole process should not take you more than 10 minutes, even if you have no prior experience.
Features:
- 19 mm shaft length
- 2 clock mechanisms with 4 pairs of clock hands
- Fits any dials ranging from 3.5 to 9 mm
- An affordable option
- No ticking sound
3. Mudder Silence Quartz Clock Movement Mechanism
If you like the look of plain, rectangular clock hands, you won’t find a better product than this clock movement replacement from Mudder. Just keep in mind that this specific product has a pretty long shaft, coming in at 31 mm or 1.22 inches. The threaded part itself is also 24.6 mm long, so it’ll fit a clock that’s around 0.90 inches thick.
You’ll get two rectangular clock hands with the purchase. Depending on your preference, the thin aluminum parts can be black, silver, white, and red. In addition to the clock hands, the product also comes with a rubber gasket and a removable metal hanging hook. Moreover, you’ll get a washer, a hex nut, and a cap that goes over the minute hand.
Notably, some versions of the product — like the 23 mm one — include a slim, third hand. So if you need movement mechanisms that will be more suitable for thinner clock panels, look through the rest of the company’s lineup.
You may even find that you prefer other styles of clock hands. For example, this 13.5 mm mechanism has more elegant, tapered clock hands in different metallic colors.
Features:
- Quartz movement mechanism box
- 31 mm total shaft length, 24.6 mm of thread
- One set of rectangular clock hands
- Comes in black, silver, white, and red
4. Stflybro 2 High-Torque Non-Ticking Clock Movement Mechanisms With 4 Packs of Clock Hands
If you’re someone who appreciates variety, you might be interested in this pack of two clock movement mechanisms complete with four sets of clock hands. The mechanism boxes themselves both have the same measurements. The 2.2-inch squares are about two-thirds of an inch thick. They have the usual battery slot and control dial in the back and a protruding shaft in the front.
In this case, the total length of the shaft is about 17.5 mm or 0.69 inches. However, the threaded part is 10.5 mm long so it should fit clocks that are under 0.4 inches thick. Both clock mechanisms come with plastic and brass washers and brass hex nuts. You’ll also get two removable hanging hooks and plastic wall nails.
As for the clock hands, between the four black sets, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. The smallest set consists of three plain, straight hands ranging from 1.5 to 1.8 inches long. The second set contains an intricate hour hand that’s 2.67 inches long, and two 3.85-inch hands — a less detailed minute one and a plain, slim second one.
Next up, the third set is a basic spade style with a red second hand. Those clock hands measure from 3.14 to 4.33 inches. The last set only contains hour and minute hands, so the second hand is replaced with a cap nut.
Features:
- Two non-ticking movement mechanisms
- 17.5 mm total shaft length, 10.5 mm of thread
- Includes four sets of clock hands
- Also contains gaskets, washers, hex nuts, hanging hooks, and even plastic wall nails
5. Alonea Shaft Clock Mechanism With 6 Different Pairs of Hands
If you want even more options, then this set is an even better choice. It contains 5 pairs of long clock hands, 5 minute hands, and 2 second hands. All of them come in different styles ranging from minimalist to decorative, so you can combine them based on the appearance of your clock.
The hands also come in a wide number of sizes, so they are truly suitable for most clocks you can buy on the market. Just bear in mind that they are thin, so they may bend if you apply too much pressure on them during assembly.
It comes with two mechanisms of 16.55 and 22 mm shaft lengths, respectively. The former has a thread of 8 mm, and the latter’s is 15 mm.
Furthermore, the mechanism with the shorter shaft fits clock panels that are between 2 and 6 mm thick. On the other hand, the second mechanism is suitable for panels between 9 and 13 mm in thickness. Regardless of the different element sizes, each mechanism comes in a 55 mm square box.
This model is one of the quietest you can come across on this list, and it’s all thanks to the quartz mechanism powering it. The hands move entirely soundlessly, and there is zero ticking noise.
The package is completed with everything else you need to put together or repair a clock. So, you’ll also get cap nuts, rubber gaskets, brash washers, brass hex nuts, and a pair of metal hooks. To top it all off, the manufacturer also sends you an extensive instruction manual.
Features:
- 2 mechanisms (shaft lengths of 16.55 and 22 mm)
- 12 clock hands of varying lengths
- All pieces are black
- Not suitable for alkaline or rechargeable batteries
6. Tikround Battery-Operated Clock Movement Mechanism With Replacement Parts
The TIKROUND silent movement mechanism is one of the best products for those who are looking for spade-shaped clock hands. In fact, the device comes with four sets of hands, as well as all the mounting hardware you’ll need to install it. Among those accessories, you’ll find a rubber gasket and a removable hanging hook for the back of the clock. For the front, you’ll have a metal washer and hex nut, and a piece that will secure the minute hand to the shaft.
Speaking of which, the shaft measures 18 mm or 0.7 inches, though the threaded part is shorter at just under 0.2 inches. As established, that means that the clock itself can be no thicker than 0.15 inches or 4 mm.
Notably, the product listing also includes movement mechanisms with other shaft lengths. One would be suitable for clock panels that are between 9 and 13 mm or up to half an inch thick. Others would fit panels that are between 2 and 6 mm or 4 and 8 mm. So if you like the style of hands that comes with this product, you’ll find a good size for the clock you have here.
Going back to the clock hands, you’ll find that the four sets only contain hour and minute hands. The smallest ones are 2.16 inches and 2.75 inches long in total, while the longest ones measure 5.62 and 7.24 inches, respectively. You’ll find the measurements of the clock faces each set fits in the product description as well.
Features:
- High torque Quartz movement mechanism box
- 18 mm total shaft length, 5 mm of thread
- Available in four other sizes
- Comes with four sets of spade-shaped clock hands
7. HILLHOME Non-Ticking Pendulum Clock Movement Mechanism
Most of the products on this list should be suitable for any kind of wall clock. However, some people might need something even more special — like this pendulum clock movement mechanism from HILLHOME.
Like the other products in this category, this one is powered by a quartz crystal, which should make it accurate as well as silent. However, this clock movement mechanism also includes a pendulum swinger, making it ideal for upgrading older wall clocks. As a specialized product, the box of this mechanism is 2.2 inches wide and 3.3 inches tall — due to its pendulum attachment.
In the back of the box, the battery slot is vertical, rather than horizontal. Moreover, the adjustment dial is a bit less accessible, since it’s partially covered by the pendulum mechanism. On the front side, we have the standard 13 mm long shaft. However, since the threaded part is only 6 mm or a quarter of an inch long, this mechanism will only suit clocks that are no thicker than 0.15 inches.
On top of all that, the device comes with three sets of clock hands, as well as three plastic and brass washers, and three brass nuts. You’ll even get a cap nut you can use if you don’t need the second hand. Of the three clock hand sets you’ll get, two of them are black — one in the basic spade style and another more intricate design. The more intricate set also comes in gold, which you can use with the red second hand.
Features:
- High torque Quartz movement mechanism box
- 13 mm total shaft length, 6 mm of thread
- Available in four other sizes
- Comes with three sets of spade-shaped clock hands
Features to Look For When Shopping for the Best Silent Clock Mechanism
At this point, you’ll have noticed that most of the products you’ll find in this category run on quartz crystals. But what does that mean, exactly?
Traditionally, mass-produced analog clocks were either propelled by an electric motor or an electromagnet which were, in turn, powered by batteries. The devices we’re talking about are famous for producing loud ticking sounds to this day. However, Quartz movement mechanisms mostly rely on electromagnetic oscillations to move the clock hands.
Unlike typical motor-powered timepieces, Quartz clocks make the hands move smoothly, eliminating the choppy, ticking noise. On top of that, they’re also more accurate timekeepers. The only better option would be to get yourself an atomic clock — which you probably don’t need.
With that being said, it’s easy to see why people who value accuracy and silence prefer quartz-powered devices. Now, let’s see what you should keep in mind while shopping for your own quiet clock mechanism.
The Movement Shaft Length
If you’ve paid attention to the design of most movement mechanisms, you’ll understand that the thickness of the protruding shaft on one side of the box is the key factor you’ll need to consider when buying the part. You’ll want to keep two measurements in mind:
- The length of the threaded part of the shaft
- The total length of the shaft
Before you order your replacement clock movement mechanism, take the time to measure your clock. It shouldn’t be thicker than the length of the threaded part of the shaft. After all, some of that metal needs to show on the front side of the clock once you push the shaft through. You’ll need to be able to fit a rubber gasket between the mechanism box and the clock, and a washer and hex nut between the clock and the hour hand.
Moreover, if you’re going to be reusing your old clock hands and swapping out the movement mechanism box, you’ll have to take into account the diameter of the shaft. You’ll note that it has two diameters since the parts are supposed to move separate clock hands. Namely, the thicker part is for the hour hand while the narrower, upper part should fit through the minute hand — leaving the second hand to top off the structure.
Needless to say, if you’re buying only the mechanism box without a corresponding set of clock hands, you’ll want to make sure that the shaft will fit through the ones you have.
Design of the Clock Hands
If you’re looking for a silent movement mechanism that comes with clock hands as well, there are plenty of different styles to choose from. Hour and minute hands can be tapered, blunt, or more intricate spade designs.
Depending on the appearance of the clock face and the numerals on it, you might find one of those styles more appropriate than others. On top of that, the diameter of the clock face will also determine the size of the hands you need.
Naturally, the second hands are usually longer than the hour and minute hands. They also tend to be simpler in design, though many are colored differently to make up the difference.
Of course, all three hands can come in a variety of colors. However, black, white, silver, gold, and red sets are the most common ones you’ll run into.
Wall Hook
If you don’t have a specific clock in mind when shopping for replacement movement mechanism parts, you’ll have to account for ones that don’t have a separate wall mount in the back. Luckily, some devices come with a removable hook part that fits over the shaft and sticks up above the box.
Of course, those kinds of products also come in handy when you’re working on clocks that have built-in wall mounts. After all, they allow you to choose if you want to include the hook piece or not.
Still, if the clock itself doesn’t have a hook on it, you’ll want to get a movement mechanism that does. In that case, you can just get one with a built-in hook that’s made of the same black plastic as the rest of the mechanism.
How to Install a Silent Clock Mechanism
When you decide to install your new silent clock mechanism, you’ll find the process quite simple. First, you’ll need to disassemble the clock you’re working on, or rather prepare a clock face of your own design.
At this point, you should be sure that the shaft on the device you got will fit the clock. It should slide through the hole in the middle of the clock easily, leaving a section of the threaded part visible above the line.
Of course, before you push the shaft through, you’ll want to put the removable metal hanger through it, if necessary. If not, you can just put the rubber or plastic gasket between the back of the clock and the mechanism.
Once you have the clock in place, you’ll put the brass washer over the threaded bit that’s peeking through, and top that off with the hexagonal nut.
Lastly, start stacking the hour, minute, and second hands one on top of the other. If your clock has a frame or a glass cover — now is the time to reinstall it. If not, you can simply hang it on the wall and admire your work.
Alternatively: Get a Clock That Already Has a Silent Clock Mechanism
If you’ve spent any time at all fiddling with modern clocks, you’ll know that the process of replacing a movement mechanism is a bit fussy. Those thin, aluminum clock hands are quick to bend under any amount of pressure. So if you don’t install them correctly, they could start making noise as they scrape over each other.
With that in mind, I wanted to suggest a simpler alternative. Just buy a new clock. Some of those non-ticking analog timepieces can even double as alarm clocks. And if it’s money you’re worried about, you won’t find the movement mechanism that much cheaper than the whole clock.
Of course, if you happen to like fixing up old, noisy clocks — the products above should get you started on the right path.
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- By Soundproof Living