This Sunday it’s time to spring forward when daylight savings starts.

Daylight savings time (DST) has its roots in ancient Rome, which also adjusted their daily schedules according to the sun. Modern day DST started during WWI to save fuel and was eventually adopted as a way to enjoy the longer days of sunlight. It always begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. (An easy way to remember which way the clocks move is to spring forward and fall back.)

Most of Canada observes DST with a few exceptions: Some mountain communities in BC, areas in Nunavut, Quebec’s North Shore and all of Saskatchewan don’t follow DST.

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour on March 9 before going to bed.  Of course, you could also avoid the hassle of remembering by investing in a new clock with a self-adjusting feature. Celebrate the end of the winter season and rising to work in the dark with a personal splash of time!

Marathon accuracy

 

Skip the hassle of automatically adjusting your clocks and get want split-second accuracy, when you invest in a Marathon digital clock. Whether large or small, these clocks all share a self-adjusting feature that automatically adjusts for daylight savings.

 

Giant Atomic Time

At 27 cm x 41 cm (10” x 16”), the Jumbo Atomic Wall Clock makes time stand out. It’s over-sized frame makes for an easy-to-glance accurate time, indoor temperature and perpetual calendar. Its sleek and modern brushed aluminum face looks great in any room whether it’s at home or at the office. Customize your settings with six North American time zones on a 12- or 24-hour format and choose Celsius or Fahrenheit temperature readings. It’s crisp display gives you a wider than average viewing angle.

Regular atomic

Get the same great features in a scaled down version with the Marathon Atomic Digital Clock. At 15 cm x 22 cm (5” x 8”) this clocks shares the same split-second accuracy and self-adjusting features. Hang it on the wall of leave it freestanding. You have a choice of 8 times zones in a 12- or 24- hours format along with Fahrenheit or Celsius settings.

Traveling with atomic time

You can easily lost track of time traveling across time zones. The Marathon Travel Atomic Alarm Clock lets you take the Marathon accuracy with you on the road. It saves you the hassle of figuring out the time by automatically setting the time, day and date. It’s handy on screen map will even show you what time zone you are in.

With four time zones (Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern) and five languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German), this is a useful companion on the road when you are jet setting across the globe. Comes equipped with two alarms, five-minute snooze function and folds down flat for easy transport.

Solar time

Add some solar charm in your living room or kitchen with the Fusion Solar Lighted Wall Mount Clock and never worry about changing batteries again. This solar-powered clock has metal frame with a matte finish and white face that highlights the black Roman numerals and antique hands. Metal foliage winds its way around the stand and arm stopping at a cute Blue Jay sitting atop, watching all the action.

The 4 white LEDs have 16 lumens of light and are powered by a single AA battery.  The amorphous solar panel keeps the battery charged and ready up to 12 hours of use on a full charge. It can be mounted on the wall or post.

iWake up

 

Wake up to your favourite times with the Philips iPod / iPhone Clock Radio. This docking station plus radio charges your iPhone or iPod at night and then gently wakes you to the music you have chosen.You can set it your favourite radio station or to your music library.

It’s also got a dual alarm so you and your partner can share the play list. You’re guaranteed crystal-clear sound with the 4W RMS power output. It automatically synchs up with your iPod or iPhone when it’s docked and an MP3 link lets you connect other audio devices.

Spa awakening

Let the soothing sounds of nature get you up in the morning. The Homedics SoundSpa Premier Clock Radio has the gentle sounds of the rainforest, summer nights, thunderstorms or the ocean to help you start your day off calm and refreshed. You can also choose your favourite AM or FM radio station.

The clock face also displays the temperature for indoors and outdoors. For something fun, you can project the time and temperature onto the ceiling. This compact clock also has an automatic daylight savings time adjustment, dual alarm and snooze function.

 

 

 

Stylish time

Add some fun personal touches to your time keeping with the Artisan Collection of desk clocks. These miniature clocks come in a variety of themes that are unique and fun. A great way to send a personalized gift to someone you love.

For the rock star in all of us, there is the Artisan Collection Drum Set Desktop Clock Rock. The quartz movement clock is embedded into a tiny set of encased in rich black metal with shiny chrome accents. It’s a fun way to keep track of time. 7.9 cm high x 11 cm wide (3” x 4.5”)

The Artisan Collection Retro Sci-Fi Robot Desktop Clock if perfect for all those lovers of retro sci-fi style. This 7.9 cm (2.3”) robot keeps time but is also functional. It bends at the waist with limbs that can be posed and its C-shaped hands hold pens and pencils. The only thing it can’t do is warn of approaching danger.

The crafter in your family will appreciate the Artisan Collection Sewing Machine Desktop Clock. This solid filigree gold and matte silver miniature machine has a real moving needing and turning handle exactly like the original antique sewing machines. A quartz movement clock face in in the body of the sewing machine. Runs on battery. 9.5 cm x 6.5 cm (3.5” x 2.5 “)

 

Didn’t see anything you like? Check out Best Buy’s complete line of clocks.

Shelagh McNally
I’ve been covering technology since 1992 and I’ve seen a lot of technology come and go. I enjoy following the trends, spotting the winners and losers and teaching consumers how to get the best products and services for their needs. My work has been published in the National Post, Reader's Digest.com, Yahoo, Miami Herald and other North American publications and websites.