Why are clocks in major department stores almost always set to 10:10?

Question

John, you clown, it's attention to detail that makes me notice, not whatever affliction you're suffering from.

Answer 1

Psychological sales technique:
The clocks with the hands in that position look like they are smiling, and may encourage you to buy them. Conversely, if they were set at, say, twenty to four, they might appear to be frowning.
Would you be more inclined to buy a puppy that looked grumpy, or one that looked happy?

Answer 2

It has been suggested that the 10:10 position is used because it resembles a smile.

"I too have heard the 'smile' theory, which makes some sense from the emotional marketing perspective. Equally likely is the fact that most manufacturer's trademarks are just above the center pipe, and having the hands at 10:10 causes your eye to naturally follow to the trough, thus bringing your view right to the trademarkThe opinions I've read tend toward 'framing' the maker's name on the clock face. Viz: when the logo is placed above the center, the hands are at 10:10 but when the logo is below the center, the hands are shown at 8:20 framing the maker's name. Wristwatch advertising follows this trend"Thomas A. Frank wrote: '...most manufacturers trademarks are just above the center pipe, and having the hands at 10:10 causes your eye to naturally follow to the trough, thus bringing your view right to the trademark....' and often the Model name is centered under the center pipe, ruling out any hand more or less straight down (between 5 and 7). Date windows most often are at 9 or 3, and subsidiary seconds usually at 6. For aesthetic reasons you want the two hands neither nearly covering each other nor nearly in a straight line. By default the 10h10 looks pretty good.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, I have a somewhat less whimsical answer to your question. While the "smile" theory is plausible, I think it was much more likely started for sales purposes. If you notice the face of a clock or watch, the name of the clockmaker or brand is usually inscribed directly under the 12 on the dial. Salespeople would wind clocks to the specific time of 10:10 so as no to obstruct the view of the name, as well as "frame" it and draw the eyes' attention. The practice caught on and nowadays it is executed without thought, even if the maker's name appears nowhere on the face.

Answer 4

It's to trick your brain into feeling happy. They do it it in movies and sit-coms all of the time.

The arms of the clock are both angled upwards in the shape of a smile. If you are happy, you will laugh at the jokes in the movie and the sit-com more. And, if you look at a "smiling" clock in your local Target store you will be so overwhelmed with happiness that you will buy all kinds of useless junk you won't need.

Answer 5

all clocks are either set to 8:15 or 10:10 .the 8:15 is the time Lincoln was supposed to have died and the 10:10 is when the second tower of the wtc collapsed

Answer 6

Aside from the fact that it looks like it is smiling, it allows you to see any additional features the clock may have

Answer 7

I can never find a clock in a department store. I think they don't want you to know what time it is. They don't want you to realize how much time you have spent in there.

Answer 8

Your obvious attention to detail, goal setting and planning ahead is akin to a military operation.

To avoid this arrival each time at 1010 which incidentally, is very unsafe if you become a target, arrange your sub-morning structure thus deleting items in brackets;

-Awake (and first snooze alarm)
-Rise and urinate
-Shave and shower
-Dress and (make bed) arrange bed sheets tidily
-(Measure the tiles around the kitchen walls and complete their daily log)
-Breakfast
-(Wash-up dishes)
-(Re-catalogue your cornflake collection including duplicates for barter)
-Walk the dog (five miles)
-Wash your hands (twenty five times) due to stroking dog
-Leave house
-Enter store (whilst holding breath)
-Notice clock

Hope this helps :-)