jClock β€” Digital Race Clock and Finish-Line LED Timing Display by Innovative Timing Systems

It’s time for a better clock.

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jClock is a premium digital race clock built for marathons, 5K and 10K road races, triathlons, swim meets, track and field events, cycling races, obstacle course races, and indoor and outdoor sporting events. Each unit is a wireless LED time display in a solid hardwood case, runs all day on an internal 98 Wh Lithium-ion (18650) battery pack, and can be controlled from a phone, a laptop, or a chip-timing platform. Available as a single-sided or double-sided digital display clock for finish lines, start lines, warehouse production countdowns, wall-mounted countdown displays, and large-format event signage.

Multiple Ways to Connect

Control Everything From Any Device

jClock redefines what a timing display can be β€” powered by a capable microprocessor, 8-inch super-bright digits, and finished in a handcrafted wooden case. Connect via Bluetooth, over your network, or through a custom API integration. Available in single-sided and double-sided configurations to fit any venue or setup.

Bluetooth

Pair the Innovative Timing Systems mobile app directly with the clock β€” no network required. Count up, count down, time of day, configurable ceilings, custom start points, and pause/resume.

Wi-Fi

Use the built-in hotspot or join your existing network, then control the clock from any browser. Device naming, Wi-Fi setup, brightness, startup behavior, and bib number queuing β€” all in the browser.

Custom API

Programmatic control over every clock function via a full REST API. Build custom interfaces, integrate with third-party timing software, or script complex multi-clock deployments.

Recommended

Mobile App Control

The primary way to operate jClock. Pair directly over Bluetooth β€” no network, no setup. Every clock function, in one app.

Count up, count down, time of day β€” with configurable ceilings and live pause/resume

Manual or auto brightness β€” from gym lighting to direct sunlight

Send bib numbers, splits, or custom text to the clock face

Manage one clock or an entire course of clocks from a single device

Explore the App→
Mobile app time controls
Mobile app brightness controls
Mobile app display controls
jClock browser control interface showing clock controls in a web browser

No App Required

Browser Control

The jClock has a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Connect to the clock's network from any device β€” phone, tablet, laptop β€” and control the clock entirely through a web browser. No app install required. No internet connection required. Just connect and control.

Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot β€” no router or internet needed

Works on any device with a web browser

Every feature from the mobile app available in the browser

Ideal for volunteers and guest operators

Permanent Installations

Network Control

The jClock can join an existing Wi-Fi network. Once connected, the clock is controllable from any browser on the same network. Ideal for permanent installations β€” gyms, school tracks, natatoriums, indoor facilities β€” where the clock lives on-site and staff control it from a desk or phone without needing to be physically next to it.

Joins your existing Wi-Fi network β€” no special hardware

Controllable from any browser on the same network

No need to be physically next to the clock

Perfect for gyms, tracks, natatoriums, and indoor facilities

Gymnasium

Wall-mounted, staff-controlled from any desk

Track & Field

Always ready for practice and meets

Natatorium

Poolside timing without poolside setup

Indoor Facility

Permanent installation, zero daily setup

// Get full device state
GET /state
// Start count-up from 01:30:00, 24h ceiling
POST /command {"command": "AB013000"}
// Display bib number for 3–5 seconds
POST /display {"type": "bib", "value": 42}
// Set brightness to 75%
POST /command {"command": "BR75"}
// Update device settings
POST /settings {"auto_brightness": true}

REST API

Developer API

When the jClock is connected to a Wi-Fi network, it exposes a full REST API. Build custom control interfaces, automate clock behavior, integrate with third-party timing software, or script clock operations for complex multi-clock deployments. Programmatic control over every clock function. Documentation available.

Full REST API over Wi-Fi

Programmatic control of all clock functions

Integrate with third-party timing software

Script complex multi-clock deployments

Configurations

One face.
Or two.

Single-sided Β· wall clocks, permanent installs, smaller races

Single-Sided

The lightweight, fixed-mount configuration. Ideal for wall clocks, permanent installations, gym countdowns, and smaller races where the audience is on one side of the course.

Double-Sided

Two synchronized faces in one hardwood case. Mount it at a finish chute, hang it above a podium, or roll it onto a track β€” wherever athletes and spectators come from both directions.

Built to Perform

10+ Hour Battery

Operate on internal battery for up to 10 hours.*

Durability

Handcrafted hardwood exterior engineered to withstand demanding daily use while maintaining its timeless appearance.

Super-Bright LEDs

Designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Consistent brightness throughout their lifespan.

Free Firmware Updates

Ongoing firmware updates that enhance the capabilities of your clock.

* Actual runtime varies based on brightness and usage conditions.

Data sheet

What’s inside.
Every line earned.

jClock is built around four hard commitments: it runs all day on its own battery, it sees you across the venue, it survives the venue, and it updates itself without a service call.

01

All-day on internal battery.

A full event without an extension cord. Plug in between events. The 98 Wh pack is built from off-the-shelf 18650 cells in a 4S Lithium-ion configuration, so runtime scales smoothly with display brightness β€” half-brightness operation roughly doubles the runtime of full-brightness.

Capacity
98 Wh
Chemistry
Lithium-ion (18650)
Runtime
Up to ~10h
Charge
~3.5h
02

Super-bright LED matrix.

Eight-inch digits driven by individually addressable, high-output red LEDs behind an anti-glare panel. Adaptive brightness so the clock isn't a flashlight at night or invisible at noon.

Digit height
8 in (203 mm)
Dot pitch
9 mm
Brightness
3,200 cd/mΒ²
Viewing angle
Β±60Β°
Read distance
~80 m
03

Built tough. Finished beautifully.

Solid hardwood case with dovetailed corners, a sealed acrylic face protecting the LED panel, and threaded mounting inserts in the base for tripods, brackets, and permanent installations. Built to look at home on a finish-line truss, a gym wall, or in the office.

Case
Solid hardwood, dovetailed
Front face
Sealed acrylic
Mounting
Threaded inserts (base)
Op. temp
βˆ’10 Β°C to 50 Β°C
04

Three ways in. One source of truth.

Pair over Bluetooth Low Energy in the trailer. Connect over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for whole-venue access. Wire it to chip-timing platforms through a REST API on the local network. Same radio class powering millions of professional IoT deployments β€” proven, low-latency, and well-understood by integrators.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth LE, passcode-paired
Wi-Fi
802.11 b/g/n Β· 2.4 GHz
API
REST over LAN
Operators
Multiple concurrent
05

Updated wirelessly. Forever.

Firmware is delivered through the app and verified at install. Every clock we've ever shipped is still on the latest release β€” no service appointments required.

Updates
Over-the-air
Channel
Stable production
Verification
Verified at install
Rollback
A/B slots

Frequently asked

Race-day questions, answered.

Battery, weather, connectivity, configurations β€” the things every race timer and event director wants to know before they buy.

What is jClock?

jClock is a handcrafted LED race clock and event timing display made by Innovative Timing Systems. It has six eight-inch red LED digits in a solid hardwood case, runs all day on an internal battery, and can be controlled wirelessly from a phone, laptop, or chip-timing system.

Is jClock a digital finish line clock or a countdown clock?

Both. jClock supports count-up, countdown, and time-of-day modes. Race directors use it as a finish line clock for marathons, 5Ks, triathlons, and track meets; event producers use it as a countdown clock for stage productions, warehouse shift timers, and arena scoreboards.

How long does the battery last during a race?

The 98 Wh internal pack β€” built from off-the-shelf 18650 Lithium-ion cells β€” runs the clock for the better part of a race day at typical event brightness, and considerably longer at lower brightness. Recharge takes about 3.5 hours, so one clock can run a full marathon or a long triathlon without an extension cord and still be ready for the next event.

Can I use jClock outdoors in rain?

Yes. The sealed acrylic face protects the LED panel from rain and dust, and the solid hardwood case is finished to handle the kind of mixed weather you see at outdoor finish lines. Operating temperature is βˆ’10 Β°C to 50 Β°C β€” fine for everything from a cold morning marathon start to a hot afternoon triathlon finish.

How do I control jClock β€” Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or an API?

All three. Pair over Bluetooth LE in the trailer β€” passcode-secured, low-latency. Connect over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) for whole-venue access. Wire it to chip-timing platforms through a REST API on the local network.

How tall are the digits and how far away can spectators read it?

Eight inches (203 mm) tall β€” the classic seven-segment LED format you've seen on finish-line clocks and gas-station price boards for decades, rebuilt with modern high-output red LEDs behind an anti-glare face. The display is sunlight-readable across a finish chute at noon and legible from up to 80 meters away in normal lighting. Brightness dims down so the clock isn't a flashlight after dark.

Is jClock single-sided or double-sided?

Both configurations are available. Single-sided is the lightweight, fixed-mount option β€” ideal for wall clocks, permanent installations, gym countdowns, and smaller races. Double-sided has two synchronized faces in one hardwood case β€” finish chutes, podiums, track turnarounds, anywhere athletes and spectators come from both directions.

What kinds of events does jClock work for?

Marathons, half-marathons, 5K and 10K road races, triathlons, swim meets, indoor and outdoor track and field, cycling races, obstacle course races and OCR events, ultras, charity runs, and timed school sports. Also used as a wall-mounted countdown clock for warehouses, gyms, AV stages, and corporate lobbies.

Where is jClock made?

Designed and assembled in the United States. Each hardwood case is milled, dovetailed at the corners, and hand-finished, with threaded mounting inserts in the base for tripods, brackets, and permanent installations. The firmware is updated wirelessly through the app and verified at install.

Ready to upgrade your event timing?

Bright, wireless, all-day battery, and built to last. Get a jClock for your next race, meet, or installation.

Looking for the companion app instead? Learn more about the app

Digital Race Clocks | jClock by Innovative Timing Systems | Innovative Timing Systems