A magnetic clock comprises an inner revolvable magnetic member and an outer revolvable magnetic member, each being of generally hour glassed shaped and being arranged concentrically with respect to each other. An hour glassed shaped bearing is positioned concentrically between and exerts a repulsive force on the inner and outer members. The inner and outer revolvable magnetic members each have a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart peripheral elements integrally formed therewith which project radially outwardly therefrom. The outer revolvable member has a minute hand secured thereto for movement therewith and the inner revolvable member has an hour hand secured thereto for rotation therewith. An electro-magnet is positioned adjacent the periphery of the outer member and when energized causes the outer magnetic member to rotate through a predetermined arc of approximately 30.degree.. An electrical pulse mechanism is connected to the electro-magnet and is operable to momentarily energize the electro-magnet which causes movement of the minute hand through the arc which corresponds to a 5 minute increment. The outer revolvable member is also provided with shiftable locking lugs which are shifted for engagement with the inner revolvable member when the outer revolvable member has revolved through an arc of 360.degree.. With this arrangement, the inner revolvable member rotates with the outer member through an arc of 30.degree. and this corresponds to the normal hour hand movement. Suitable magnetic holding means are provided for holding the inner and outer member against movement while the electro-magnet is in an unenergized condition.
A rocking motor for driving an indexing element in a quartz controlled analog wristwatch is impulsed once per minute. The indexing element and the indexed "center" wheel are carried between parallel shunt plates holding the permanent magnet. The driving element is deflected by a pulse from its rest position to tension a spring, and the minute wheel is indexed when the driving element is returned by the reset spring.
A clock with a seemingly gravity-defying time-indicating element adjacent a substantially vertically disposed dial comprises a magnetic guide element positioned behind the dial for movement around the dial as a function of time, and a magnetically responsive time-indicating element such as a metallic-appearing sphere positioned for viewer visibility in front of the dial. The time-indicating element is magnetically coupled to the guide element for movement therewith around the front of the dial in apparent defiance of gravity to indicate the time without becoming decoupled from the guide element. The time-indicating element is a generally hollow shell of non-magnetically responsive material, with an internal, generally tubular and generally space-enclosing member extending across its interior to capture and restrict the movement of a magnetically-responsive coupling element positioned within the generally tubularly enclosed space, and sized to move freely therewithin so that any surface of the coupling element can generally abut the interior wall of the time-indicating element at either end of the tubular enclosure, said coupling element being mechanically coupled to the time-indicating element for movement therewith and magnetically coupled to the guide element through the dial for time-responsive movement of the time-indicating element.
