Does it actually keep accurate time?
It depends on the unit. Timekeeping is this clock's biggest weakness, with some units reportedly losing as much as 13 minutes an hour, while others keep time very well for two years or more. If accuracy matters more than looks, check it against your phone over the first week so you know which kind you have while you can still return it.
Will WiFi sync fix the timekeeping drift?
Not reliably on every unit. On some, the WiFi fails to connect at all, and since WiFi sync is the mechanism meant to correct drift automatically, a failed connection means correcting the time by hand on a regular basis. Where it does connect, it also brings firmware updates, such as the V3100 update that added automatic DST switching.
Is this a real nixie tube clock, or something else?
It's an RGB LED display designed to simulate the warm glow of vintage nixie tubes, not authentic glass gas-discharge tubes. Think of it as a faux nixie: a convincing replica of the classic style, with engraved acrylic digit plates stacked inside each tube, at a fraction of the cost and hassle of a genuine vintage nixie tube clock.
Is the base actually made of real wood?
No. Despite this variant being named 'Wood Grain', ClocTeck lists the materials as ABS, acrylic and aluminum alloy, with an aluminum frame, so the wood grain is a finish rather than solid wood.
What's the CR2032 battery for if it's plugged in?
The clock runs from mains power over USB-C, and ClocTeck lists one CR2032 coin cell alongside it. In corded clocks, a coin cell like this typically keeps the time and settings through a power cut rather than powering the display, much like the backup battery in other plug-in electronics.
What do the alarm and timer do?
ClocTeck gives it a timer of up to 99 minutes, an alarm and a switchable 12 or 24 hour display. ClocTeck's instructions explain how to disable the alarm by setting it to 0000; how to silence it mid-ring is less obvious, so try it once before you rely on it.
