I don't like intrusive sounds either ippy but I suppose if one is used to it, they don't mind or even notice. I grew up with my parents' big chiming clock which chimed on the hour and half hour and thought nothing of it. It now sits in another room and doesn't work, I have no clocks that work atm! Apart from alarm clocks and only my husband uses one of those, once a week if he is not awake before it goes off. I am happy with a watch to tell the time - I'm told even that is outdated as everyone finds the time on their mobile. They'd be out of luck with mine which says it is ''Mon 13-8 13:26''...don't know how to change it. Hee hee, I don't care, have diary and calendar.