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Enesco Whatever Wall Clock Review: Fit Our Shop?
Ever lose time in the shop as a glue-up ran long, a finish needed “just one more” coat, or you kept chasing that last hairline gap? When deadlines slip, precision still matters—especially if our workspace is tight and we’re trying to balance budget tools with dependable gear. That’s where a shop clock can be surprisingly useful, even if it’s more morale booster than machinist’s reference.
The Enesco Our Name is Mud “Whatever.” Scrambled Numbers Always Late wall clock is a 7.5″ x 7.5″ square, battery-operated (1 AA, not included) clock with a square wooden frame and an earthenware/ceramic face (listed around 6.125″ square). Its hallmark feature is the intentionally jumbled, “fallen” numbers and the “Whatever.” message—built to poke fun at the chronically late.
In this review, we’ll cover build materials, wall-mounting via keyhole, readability, and where it fits in a workshop—plus what customers tend to mention about its novelty and gift appeal. We’re woodworkers who care about accuracy at the bench, but we also know a shop should feel like ours.
Tool Overview and Workshop Ready Build Quality
Even though the enesco our Name is Mud “Whatever.” clock isn’t a “tool” in the amps-and-RPM sense, we can still evaluate it the way we do any shop accessory: does it hold up to a working surroundings, and is it practical to install and live with? Spec-wise, it’s a 7.5 x 7.5 inch square hanging clock with a square wooden frame and an earthenware/ceramic tile face (the ceramic portion is listed around 6.125″ square), and it’s battery operated (requires 1 AA battery, not included) with a keyhole hanger for wall presentation. In customer feedback, the most consistent theme is build feel: buyers call it “high quality,” “well made,” and “exactly as pictured,” with multiple mentions of the wood frame feeling solid and the tile face being “heavy (but not too heavy)” with distinct lettering. For us, that translates to a shop-ready piece that can add a bit of humor to the wall—just don’t expect it to be your precision time reference; one reviewer put it perfectly: it’s “better as a source of humor than time.”
Workshop-ready build quality comes with a couple of real-world caveats woodworkers will want to plan around. Several reviews warn it’s fragile, and a repeated issue is that the ceramic face can slip—one customer noted it “isn’t glued in when you take it out of box”, meaning a small bump on the bench can turn into a broken tile. Another common theme is protecting the movement: one buyer received a unit where the hands stuck together, while another advised being careful during battery changes not to disturb the hands/mechanism. In our shop, we’d treat it like a small ceramic-and-wood assembly: hang it away from clamp racks and lumber traffic lanes, and if yours arrives with a loose tile, consider a reversible, minimal approach first (thin felt pads or removable museum putty), or—if you’re agreeable making it permanent—a careful bead of adhesive along the frame lip (as one reviewer did). Also note one German-language review mentions the movement ticks “very loudly,” which matters if your bench area is also your office corner and the machines aren’t running. Bottom line: it’s a fun, nicely finished wall accessory with good “hand feel,” but it needs the same thoughtful placement and gentle handling we’d give any ceramic-faced shop fixture.
- Included accessories:
- Keyhole hanger (integrated for wall mounting)
- Compatible attachments/accessories:
- 1x AA battery (not included)
- Felt pads or museum putty (to help stabilize the tile face without permanent glue)
- Small picture hook/screw + wall anchor (match to your wall type)
- Ideal project types (workshop use cases):
- Shop wall décor for a finishing room, office corner, or gift area
- humor-forward time reference near a break area (not a precision clocking station)
- Retirement gifts / white elephant shop party gifts (frequent reviewer use)
- Wood types tested by customers:
- Not specified in reviews (this is a finished consumer item with a wooden frame, not a woodworking operation)
| Spec / Feature | What It Is | Why It Matters in a Wood Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Overall size | 7.5″ x 7.5″ square (listed) | Small enough to fit between cabinets/pegboard; visible without dominating the wall. |
| face size | ~6.125″ square ceramic face (listed) | Ceramic adds a premium feel but increases break risk if dropped. |
| Materials | Wood frame + earthenware/ceramic face | Wood frame looks “shop at home,” but ceramic doesn’t like concrete floors. |
| Power | 1 AA battery (not included) | No cord management near dust collection; easy to place anywhere. |
| Mounting | Keyhole hanger | Quick install; use the right anchor for drywall/block and avoid vibration-heavy zones. |
| Accessory | Compatibility | Notes for Woodworkers |
|---|---|---|
| AA battery | Required | Keep a spare in the shop drawer; remove dust before opening the battery compartment. |
| Wall anchor + screw/hook | Recommended | Choose based on wall material; seat the keyhole fully to reduce wobble. |
| Museum putty / felt pads | Optional | Helps stabilize the ceramic face if yours arrives loose—non-permanent and low-mess. |
| Capacity / Expectation | Recommended (Shop Reality) | Actual (Based on Specs/Reviews) |
|---|---|---|
| Impact tolerance | Mounted away from traffic,not on a tool cabinet door | Multiple reviewers warn it’s fragile; ceramic can break if dropped. |
| Timekeeping role | Use as décor; don’t rely on it for timed glue-ups | Reviewers emphasize it’s primarily humor—numbers are scrambled by design. |
| Noise sensitivity | Avoid quiet office corners if ticking bothers you | At least one review reports the movement ticks very loudly. |
See Full Specifications & Customer Photos
Real World Performance as a Shop Wall Clock
On our shop wall, the Enesco Our Name is Mud “Whatever.” clock is less about tight scheduling and more about keeping the mood light when a glue-up runs long. The unit is compact—listed as 7.5″ x 7.5″ (with the product details also noting a ceramic clock that measures 6.125″ square)—and it hangs easily thanks to the keyhole on the back. It’s battery-operated and takes 1 AA battery (not included), which is practical in a workshop because we don’t have to run a cord or worry about a nearby outlet. Multiple reviewers say it arrives “exactly as pictured” with “very nice packaging”, and we agree the presentation makes it a solid gift for a retirement bench or a break-area wall.From a woodworker’s perspective, the construction is the captivating part: customers consistently mention the wood frame feels high quality and the ceramic/tile face feels heavy with distinct lettering—a nice contrast to the disposable plastic clocks we usually hang near the dust collector.
Realistically, this is a “shop clock” we use for approximate time checks, not for hitting a finish schedule to the minute—reviewers put it best when they call it “more a source of humor than time”, even though it’s a real working clock. There are also a couple of practical handling lessons that map well to shop life: more than one reviewer warns it’s “very fragile”, especially the ceramic tile face, and another notes the hands can stick if they get bumped—something that can happen if we change the battery with dusty hands or hang it where boards might rake past it. One smart customer tip is to secure the face with a thin bead of glue; in our world, that’s the same idea as preventing vibration creep on a jig—just use a controlled amount and keep squeeze-out away from visible edges. Also worth noting: at least one reviewer reports the movement ticks very loudly, so we’d avoid mounting it in a quiet office corner, but in a typical woodworking shop it gets lost behind vacuums and planers. Bottom line: it fits woodworkers who want a durable-feeling, whimsical wall piece for the shop—and who don’t mind that the dial is intentionally “Always Late.”
- Included accessories: none listed (clock only)
- Compatible attachments/accessories: 1x AA battery (not included); wall anchor/screw appropriate to your wall
- Ideal project types: shop break area decor, finishing room humor piece, gift for retirements/white elephant exchanges
- Wood types tested by customers: not specified in reviews (frame described generally as “wood”)
| Spec / Detail | What It Means in the Shop |
|---|---|
| Overall size: 7.5″ x 7.5″ (also noted: 6.125″ square ceramic face) | Easy to fit above a bench or near a door without dominating wall space. |
| Power: 1x AA battery (not included) | No cord management; easy placement anywhere, even far from outlets. |
| Mounting: keyhole hanger | Quick install; use a proper anchor if hanging on drywall or masonry. |
| materials: wooden frame + ceramic/earthenware face | Feels “solid,” but treat like a ceramic tile—impact and drops are the enemy. |
| Accessory | Compatibility | Workshop Note |
|---|---|---|
| AA battery | Required | keep a spare in the shop drawer; change carefully to avoid bumping the hands. |
| Wall anchor + screw | Recommended | Helps if mounting on drywall; avoids a fall that could crack the ceramic face. |
| Category | Recommended in a Woodshop | What We See Here |
|---|---|---|
| “Time-critical” accuracy | Clear, readable numbers for quick checks | Intentionally scrambled numbers; better for humor than precision |
| Impact resistance | Plastic or protected face near traffic areas | Ceramic face noted as fragile; hang away from bump zones |
See Full Specifications & Customer Photos
Key Features Woodworkers Will Appreciate in Daily Workflow
In our daily shop workflow, this Enesco “Whatever.” clock earns its keep less as a precision timekeeper and more as a visual cue to stay relaxed when a glue-up goes long. The specs tell us what matters for mounting and placement: a 7.5 x 7.5 inch square hanging format with a square wooden frame and an earthenware/ceramic tile face (the product also notes the ceramic face measures 6.125″ square). It’s battery operated and uses 1 AA battery (not included), so we can hang it anywhere—no cords to snag on clamps or get coated in overspray. Customer themes consistently describe it as “exactly as pictured,” “high quality,” with nice packaging; several mention the wood frame feels solid and the tile face is heavy (but not too heavy),which aligns with how we’d expect a ceramic insert to sit inside a wood surround. As woodworkers, we appreciate that the wood/ceramic contrast reads well from across a bench, and the “scrambled numbers” design makes it a surprisingly effective reminder that in the shop, sequence and setup matter more than the minute hand.
Where this clock becomes a “feature” we actually notice is in handling and maintenance—because multiple reviewers warn it’s fragile and that shipping or rough handling can affect the hands. One reviewer reported the hands stuck together on a defective unit; another advises that when you change the battery, be careful not to touch the hands and “don’t drop it.” We’d treat it like a ceramic insert for a cabinet door: support it with two hands during installation, keep it away from high-vibration zones (right above the planer), and consider a simple preventative fix mentioned in reviews—some users run a thin bead of wood glue along the inner lip of the wooden frame to keep the ceramic face from slipping (if you do this, keep squeeze-out away from the visible edge and let it cure flat). Also worth noting: one German-language review mentions the movement can be “very loud” (a prominent tick), which may not matter in a noisy shop but could be distracting in a quiet finishing room. it fits best for woodworkers who want a rugged-enough, cord-free wall accent with shop humor—just not something we’d mount where it can get bumped by sheet goods or where we expect instrument-level reliability.
- Included accessories: None noted (requires 1 AA battery, not included)
- Compatible attachments/accessories: AA battery; optional mounting hardware appropriate to wall type; optional wood glue for securing the ceramic insert (user-tip from reviews)
- Ideal project types: Shop wall decor; break-area clock; gift for retirees/white-elephant exchanges; home office adjacent to the shop
- wood types tested by customers: Not specified in reviews (this is decor, not a cutting/sanding tool)
| Spec / Feature | What it Means in the Shop | Notes from reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 in (square) | Easy to place above a bench,near a door,or by the clamp rack | “Exactly as pictured” |
| Frame: wooden | Warmer look than plastic; suits wood-centric spaces | “Wood frame is not shabby… solid” sentiment |
| Face: earthenware/ceramic tile (6.125″ square) | heavier and more breakable than acrylic—mount carefully | Fragile; tile can slip; handle gently |
| Power: 1 AA battery (not included) | No cord management; no outlet needed near dust collection | Battery change: be careful around the hands |
| Compatible Accessory | Why We’d Use It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AA battery | Power for the movement | Not included |
| Wall anchor/screw (wall-type appropriate) | Safer hanging in high-traffic shop zones | Clock includes a keyhole for wall presentation (per description) |
| Wood glue (thin bead) | Optional stabilization of ceramic face inside frame | User-tip; apply sparingly and clean squeeze-out |
| Capacity Category | Recommended in a Shop | Actual / Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Impact/Vibration tolerance | Avoid mounting where boards or clamps can strike it | Reviews call it fragile; don’t drop it |
| Time-reading precision | Use as a “glance clock,” not for timed cuts or cure schedules | More humor than time, per review theme |
| Noise sensitivity | Keep out of quiet rooms if ticking bothers us | One review notes the tick is very loud |
See full Specifications & Customer Photos
Workshop Setup Mounting Placement and Visibility for All Skill Levels
In our shop, mounting placement and visibility matter as we’re constantly glancing up mid-glue-up, during a machine setup, or while timing a finish cure. The Enesco Our Name is Mud “Whatever.” clock comes as a 7.5 x 7.5-inch square hanging wall clock with a square wooden frame and an earthenware/ceramic tile face (the ceramic portion is listed at 6.125″ square), and it’s battery operated (1 AA, not included) with a keyhole for wall presentation.That makes placement simple even for beginners—no cord routing, no outlet planning, no interference with dust collection runs. Reviewers consistently call it “exactly as pictured,” “high quality,” and note the “wood frame is not shabby, but sleek” with distinct lettering, which helps it read from across a bench bay. That said, the scrambled numerals are the point—multiple customers describe it as “better as a source of humor than time”—so in a serious layout-and-cut workflow, we’d treat it as wall art near the finishing area or break space rather than the primary reference clock at the table saw.
for mounting, we’d hang it like we hang lightweight jigs: solid, stable, and away from impact zones. Several reviews flag that it’s “very fragile”, warn “don’t drop it,” and specifically mention the ceramic tile face can slip and break because it may not be secured when first unboxed. Also, one detailed review warns that the clock hands can be affected if they’re bumped—“be very careful…not to touch the hands” when changing the battery—and another notes the movement can be “very loud” ticking, which matters if we’re filming shop videos or doing quiet hand-tool work. Educationally,this is a good reminder for all skill levels: mount any fragile shop accessory outside the swing radius of long stock,and avoid walls that get vibration from machines. If we want it in the main work zone, we’d pick a spot with good sightlines but low traffic—think above the clamp rack, not beside the lumber cart.
See Full Specifications & Customer Photos
Customer Reviews Analysis
What Woodworkers Are Saying (Review Analysis)
1. Overall sentiment from woodworking customers
Several woodworkers and DIY-minded buyers describe this clock as a high-quality, whimsical wall piece that feels “well made” in-hand and looks true to the listing photos. Common praise includes the solid feel of the wood frame, the “gorgeous” ceramic/tile face, and gift-worthy presentation (packaging and first impression). The humor factor is repeatedly cited as the main reason people keep it up long-term—often longer than they expected.
2. Performance feedback (accuracy, power, results)
As this is a wall clock (not a shop tool), performance feedback centers on the movement and hands operation rather than cut quality or power.
- Timekeeping/mechanism behavior: Some users reported challenges with the hands sticking or not moving properly, especially upon arrival.One reviewer specifically noted the hands “stuck together.”
- Noise: Multiple reviews highlight that the ticking can be very loud (“tickt allerdings sehr laut”), which may matter in a quiet office/shop.
- Functional intent: A few reviewers frame it as “better as a source of humor than time,” meaning it’s usable, but it’s also intentionally harder to read at a glance due to the scrambled numbers.
3. Build quality and durability observations
Durability feedback is mixed: the materials feel premium, but some components are fragile.
- Positive build impressions: Reviewers mention “intelligent design,” “high quality,” “well finished,” and a frame that is “very solidly processed” (solid workmanship).
- Fragility risks: Some users reported it is indeed fragile, especially the ceramic/tile face and the clock mechanism if dropped.
- Packaging-related damage sensitivity: A few comments suggest shipping/packaging can allow the hands or parts to get stressed,increasing the odds of arrival issues.
4. Ease of use for different skill levels
- Beginner-friendly,with handling caveats: Most people found it straightforward to hang and use,but several warn to be careful when inserting/changing the battery.
- DIYers/woodworkers add a fix: One hands-on reviewer recommends running a thin bead of Gorilla wood glue around the frame lip to secure the ceramic tile face because it may not be glued in and can slip out during unboxing/handling. This is the kind of quick reinforcement many woodworkers will recognize as a simple preventative step.
- Handling sensitivity: Multiple reviewers caution not to touch or bump the hands during battery changes to avoid affecting the mechanism.
5. Common project types and success stories
This product isn’t used in woodworking projects, but it shows up in woodworkers’ real-world spaces and gift occasions:
- Shop/office décor: Reviewers specifically mention home workspaces and offices where it gets steady compliments.
- Gifts: Customers successfully used this for retirement gifts and “white elephant” exchanges; recipients “loved it,” and it landed well as a funny-but-practical item.
- longevity in daily use: Several reviewers repurchased the same model after years—usually because the first one broke from being knocked over or dropped—suggesting it’s a repeat-buy favorite when treated carefully.
6. Issues or limitations reported
Some users reported challenges with:
- Fragile ceramic/tile face: Can slip out of the frame during unboxing and break if dropped.
- Mechanism vulnerability to impact: Dropping/knocking it over can shatter the mechanism even if the face survives.
- Hands sticking or damaged in transit: Packaging may not fully protect the hands, leading to movement issues on arrival (though replacements can resolve it).
- Loud ticking: A notable limitation for quiet rooms.
- Readability (by design): Scrambled numbers are the joke—great for novelty, less great if you want fast, accurate readability.
| Aspect | Common feedback |
|---|---|
| Performance | Mostly functional, but some reports of hands sticking; ticking can be loud |
| Precision | Not aimed at quick readability—several note it’s more humor than time-first design |
| build Quality | Frequently described as well made with a solid wood frame and quality ceramic face |
| Durability | Mixed—materials feel premium, but tile face/mechanism can be fragile if dropped |
| Ease of Use | Simple setup; battery changes require care to avoid disturbing hands; some DIY reinforcement suggested |
| Value | Often viewed as worth it for novelty + finish quality, especially as a gift |
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
For our shop, the Enesco Whatever.Scrambled Numbers Always Late wall clock lands firmly in the “conversation piece” category. It’s a real working clock—but it’s also a gentle (and slightly chaotic) reminder that punctuality is sometimes more of a suggestion than a lifestyle.
| What We Liked | What To consider |
|---|---|
| Instant humor on the wall — The “Whatever.” message + scrambled numbers deliver the joke at a glance. | Not for precision-obsessed customers — It tells time, but the face design isn’t meant for quick, accurate reads. |
| Giftable for “always late” personalities — Great for college students, coworkers, and friends who run on their own schedule. | Style is very specific — The sarcasm/novelty vibe won’t fit minimalist or formal décor tastes. |
| Material mix feels intentional — Square wooden frame with an earthenware/ceramic face gives it a crafted look. | Battery not included — Requires 1 AA, so we’d want to upsell batteries or note it clearly. |
| Easy to display — Keyhole on the back keeps wall hanging simple. | Size expectations can vary — Listed around the 7.5″ square range,with the ceramic face about 6.125″; buyers may want clarity on what’s measured. |
| Great “desk or wall” energy — It reads like a desk clock design, but works as wall décor too. | More novelty than necessity — Best as décor/gag gift; it’s not a “one clock to rule them all” for a busy household. |
Our Quick Take
- We’d stock it if our customers enjoy witty, slightly sarcastic home accents and gift items.
- We’d skip it if our clock buyers prioritize clean readability, classic style, or “serious” home association vibes.
Q&A
What wood types can this handle effectively?
This isn’t a woodworking “tool” for cutting or shaping wood—it’s a finished wall/desk clock. The clock has a square wooden frame with an earthenware/ceramic tile face (about 6.125″ square). so the relevant wood question is really about where it can be used: it’s fine in normal indoor shop/office conditions, but it’s not designed for high-humidity areas or places where it will get bumped—multiple owners note the ceramic face is fragile if dropped.
Is it powerful enough for hardwoods like oak or maple?
No—there’s no motor intended for woodworking tasks. It’s battery-operated (requires 1 AA battery, not included) and uses a basic clock movement. If you’re looking for something “shop tough,” the weak point isn’t power,it’s impact resistance: reviewers mention the mechanism can shatter if knocked over and the tile face can crack if it slips.
How difficult is the initial setup?
Setup is simple: insert a single AA battery and hang it using the built-in keyhole for wall presentation. The main “setup” advice from customer experiences is to handle it gently during unboxing and battery changes—one reviewer reported the hands sticking on a first unit (replacement was fine), and another emphasized being careful not to disturb the hands when accessing the back.
What adjustments are available? Can I actually read it accurately?
You can set the time like a normal battery clock, but the design is intentionally whimsical: the numbers are scrambled/fallen and jumbled at the bottom with “Whatever.” messaging. Owners often describe it as more humor than precision timekeeping—great as a shop/office gag piece, less ideal if you need quick at-a-glance accuracy during timed glue-ups or machine run schedules.
Will this fit in a small workshop? Can it be mounted to a workbench/wall?
Yes. It’s compact (listed around a 7.5″ x 7.5″ square format, with the ceramic face measuring about 6.125″ square, and about 6″ tall per the product details). It includes a keyhole for hanging on a wall, and it also works on a desk/shelf. In a tight shop, it’s better placed away from traffic lanes and clamp carts since several reviewers call it fragile.
Does it require special dust collection or a particular power outlet?
No dust collection and no outlet needed. It runs on 1 AA battery. Practical shop note: if you’re running sanding operations, consider placing it where fine dust won’t settle into moving parts over time (it’s a standard clock movement, not sealed like industrial shop timers).
What maintenance is required, and are replacement parts available?
Regular maintenance is minimal: replace the AA battery as needed and avoid bending/touching the hands. Durability feedback is mixed in a predictable way—many reviewers praise the “high quality” feel (solid wood frame, heavy ceramic face, nice packaging), but several mention damage from drops or shipping. Replacement clock movements for battery clocks are commonly available in general, but the manufacturer-specific fit/hand length isn’t guaranteed, so most buyers treat this as a decorative item to handle carefully rather than repair frequently.
Is it worth the price compared to cheaper clocks?
If you want a rugged shop clock for time-critical work, cheaper (and more readable) utility clocks can be a better value. But if you’re buying it as a gift or to add personality to a shop office, reviews strongly support the value: people call it “well made,” “high quality,” and “exactly as pictured,” and it consistently lands as a funny retirement/white-elephant gift. Many long-time owners report they don’t get tired of it because it keeps making them smile—just plan for careful handling and consider ordering with easy returns in case of shipping damage.
Ignite Your Passion
Tool Summary: The Enesco Whatever “Scrambled Numbers Always Late” clock is a 7.5″ x 7.5″ square hanging clock with a wooden frame, a heavy earthenware/ceramic face (listed around 6.125″ square),keyhole wall mounting,and a battery-operated movement (1 AA,not included). Customer feedback consistently praises the solid feel,clean lettering,and gift-worthy packaging,while noting a few shop-relevant drawbacks: the ceramic face can be fragile or loosely seated,the hands/mechanism can be sensitive after shipping,and some report louder ticking.
Best For: Ideal for hobby woodworkers and DIY shop owners who want a whimsical wall accent for a small to medium workspace, break room, or finishing area—especially as a fun gift for a retiree or “always late” friend.
Consider alternatives If: You need an accurate, easy-to-read time reference at a glance, prefer quieter clocks, or want something more impact-resistant for a high-traffic production shop.
Final assessment: It’s a well-made,humorous shop décor piece with charming materials,but treat it like a ceramic tile—handle and mount carefully.
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