Crosley 33388 Bakelite Arch Silent Sweep Alarm Clock w/Smartlite Technology

When my 25+ year old plastic, wood grain (ugly, but reliable) digital clock-radio finally died, I decided that I wanted to replace it with a small alarm clock. I don't need a radio, so I wanted just the clock, please. And one that runs on batteries; I'm sick and tired of coming home to find a blinking clock that I have to reset (once I use another source to figure out what the time is). At first, considered a Big Ben, something fun looking. When I couldn't find one with a lit face (so I can view the time during the night), my search began. Took a while before I decided it would be between this one and a Moonbeam unit. I trusted other reviews and decided to try this one. So glad I did! The silent, sweeping second hand is completely silent, it doesn't tick or click around the clock, it moves in a sweeping motion and no sound at all. The face (where it appears white in the photo) is backlit in blue and there is a sliding control that allows you to adjust the brightness. The center (yellow portion of the face) stays yellow and provides a nice contrast when the face is lit. I love how easy it is to operate....three simple knobs: one to set the time, one to set the alarm, and one to adjust the brightness. Easy to operate, no more holding down buttons to reset; it runs on 3 AA batteries. The casing is plastic but I don't mind, if it lasts half as long as the old plastic-wood grain one, I'll be happy.

I like the look of the clock but it is a bit cheap feeling. The dim light is a bit touchy, but not enough to return it. I do like that its quiet and you can dim the light or make it brighter. Also with being in an area of regular power outage, glad its a battery. Its a simple basic clock that doesn't take up too much valuable real estate on the bedside table.

I bought this alarm clock because it looks cool and because a previous reviewer said that he could not even hear the alarm. I am a very light sleeper so this was a perfect choice. The alarm is much louder than I though it would be. So I put a couple of pieces of black electrical tape over the speaker holes. That dampened it quite a bit but it still seems kind of loud to me. The other part of this clock is the glowing clock face. This is kind of cool but I have such trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep that this bothers me. It gives off a bright glow. I have to turn the clock so that I can't see it or I will be up all night or wake up a bunch because of the glow. It's still a pretty great clock. I would buy it again. Battery operated - I love this. No losing the time when the power goes out. Given my sleep sensitivity I would not recommend this clock for deep sleepers. You probably will not hear the alarm - this is a clock for light sleepers.

Can't read the dial at night which is why I got it. But it is quiet snd I like the retro design.

Sure is a neat little clock, love the Deco design! However... it arrived DOA. The second hand was laying loose inside the glass face, no obvious evidence of damage it was just not connected to the little center drive point. Disappointed, it has been returned.

Looks like the real thing with realistic expectations. Is quiet. No tock tock tick Ack!! Alarm works. Cute how it glows and Hello! I love that I can make it glow dim or brigjt because it is on the dimmer things. OK the light color is absolutely modern like that LED blue but on very dim it looks cool and could mayyybe be authentic 1920s style. I think real would be a warm yellow color. But itnis not awful by anymeans. I got this for a 1920s style office but then Liked it so much I use it in my bedroom too. Quality is good. Happy!

Wish it had a white or amber backlight; blue is not easy to see hands with. I have to study the face to see the hour and minute hands when backlit.. I don't want it for an alarm or a sweep second hand and they just make it harder to read. Advantage: absolutely silent, no ticking at all, just a faint buzz with your ear pressed to it. What's not to like? Great retro styling. No wires. Heavy enough to stay in place - not easy to bump around.

Very nice but somewhat "cheap" in appearance. No way what one would expect as a "bakelite" case but ok for what it is. Back lighting is perfect and totally adjustable from none to quite bold. Another 1/2 lb of heft, a bit larger and a glass dial face would approach expectations for the price. Even with the negative comments, would order it again.