This is a great "project" clock for creative people. Yes, this clock is obviously plastic (it's only $20). Yes, it's monochromatic, so the hands were hard to see. I ordered it for my sister who likes SteamPunk decor, and since we are both a bit artsy we got a few colors of metallic paint (copper, brass, silver) and repainted the whole thing. It looks amazingly cool now! The paint job took away the plastic look. And by painting the gears a dark copper color and the hands silver, it's very easy to see what time it is. This clock is a cool style; it just needs a new coat of paint.