Why is the time 10:10 displayed in clocks in advertisements?

Question

I even noticed that the seconds hand always points at the thirty-fifth second. Is there any explanation for this?

Answer 1

Actually, old analog watches were always displayed and photographed with the time set at 1:50 (big hand on 10,small on 2)
and the second hand on 35 seconds.

This was to display the watch manufactures name or logo which was usually at 12

Also classy watches had jewels set at 12, 3.6,and9.

Answer 2

50 years ago it was commoner for the clock advertisements to show about 3:43 or so. I remember reproductions of old (50 years older yet) Sears and Wards catalogs with clockfaces commonly at about 8:23.

There was a popular rumor that the 8-ish time represented the hour at which Abraham Lincoln had been shot and the display honored his memory.

I'll go with the theory that 10:10 (or 1:50) looks more cheerful than the other two times.

Answer 3

You are probably talking about analog clocks/watches. The reason is because the hour hand and the minute hand appear as a smile when at those positions. As for the second hand, I do not believe there is a "standard" position.

Answer 4

Try this out.
Set your clock at 10:10 and you'll find that it looks like a smiling face, doesn't it. That's the reason. The clock-makers think that such a smile would bring them luck and more customers would buy their watches.

Answer 5

Well, check this out, Go to your clock and set it at 10.10. It kinda looks like a smily face right?

Ppl selling the clocks feel that it will bring good luck for them if their customers see the "Happy Hour" on the clocks. Cool huh =p

http://www.scoreadirect.com

Answer 6

The brand name of the watch is usually underneath 12, so the time is set to 10:10 to frame the brand name. Kinda like underscoring. Well thats what i read the other day.

Answer 7

Why are so many of you so sure about them looking like a smiley face, clocks and watches were shown with the hands on 10 & 2 long before smileys were invented............

Answer 8

that just may be what you are seeing because I don't see that in advertizing here. Perhaps that's just how it is easiest for photographers or set designers for the ad to position the hands to show their detail in photograph when they know the resulting photo will be less than a few centimeters/inches(whatever) big in the middle of a store's ad. or catalog page.

Answer 9

I don't think that's always the case, as I've seen a variety of times on clocks made my various companies. Maybe you're just seeing one company's product, and they always use the same time for reasons of convenience.

Answer 10

It is an advertising ploy just like food commercials play late at night to instill the thought into u so when u wake up your brain still registers MacDonlds or whatever one!