I need a WIND UP timer because I do not like to replace batteries. I ordered this Taylor timer because it is the only wind up I found on the Amazon web site.

Although I rarely use a timer, I returned the first Taylor timer delivered to me because it stopped working after a few weeks (I wondered if it broke because I tried to turn the dial back to a half hour after I had set it to one hour).

Amazon replaced the first Taylor with another Taylor timer. A few months later the replacement Taylor timer malfunctioned too (it failed to ring after one hour, maybe because it just stopped ticking). The timer continued to malfunction so I intend to return it to Amazon (is there a one year warranty?).

I am fed up with this timer, and do not want to waste more time with replacements of the same brand. I am looking for an alternative brand.

I wonder if Amazon will give me a refund. Will Amazon apply the refund to another type of wind up timer (if Amazon sells one)?

I hope this helps other buyers, and motivates Amazon to find a better type wind up timer.

Taylor Long-Ring Timer (Rating: 1.00)
Review :      This timer works quite well except it must be shaken after setting until it starts to tick. Otherwise the dial stays at the starting time and never rings at all.

Not so good outside the kitchen... (Rating: 3.00)
Review : I purchased this timer primarily for non-kitchen use, and so I was unpleasantly surprised to discover that the timer makes a buzzing noise as it winds down, which can be distracting when one is trying to time an activity which requires concentration.

This probably won't be a disadvantage if you are only planning on using the timer for cooking (which is what it's marketed for) but if you need to time something free of background noise, consider another product.

The Classic Timer (Rating: 4.00)
Review : It's like the timer my practical grandma used. Easy to read and easy to use, with a loud bell. To fully activate the ringer you need to rotate the dial the full hour, then turn it back to the amount ot time you want to measure. When the bell goes off you'll hear it for about 7 seconds.

And it's not just for the chef. I use it to focus on many household tasks such as fifteen minute decluttering sessions or keeping my phone calls to ten minutes. Additionally it's a great motivational tool to help keep the kids on track with their chores in a game of beat the clock.

Ring Not Long Enough (Rating: 1.00)
Review : 1. The timer's ring is less than 2 seconds in duration. If you happen to be in another part of the house, then you may not hear the ring. I was hoping it would ring a little longer, so it will gets ones attention. I bought it originally for my mom who has a tendency to cook, go off do something else and forget that something is on the stove. At a ring of 2 seconds, I doubt if she'll be able to hear it.

2. Another annoyance is that you have to set the timer past the 15 minute marker in order for the ring to work. If I want to set the timer for 5 minutes, I will have to dial to the 15 minute marker and then move to the 5 minute marker. If not, the timer will not set to ring.

3. It does not seem like a finished product. The entire back of the timer is not covered - exposing the insides of the timer. It is just not very attractive from the back.