Now, knowing the exact time doesn't have to mean synchronising one's watch with the clock on Ceefax. Things have moved on in the bedroom, and we're not talking about any of one's nocturnal proclivities. Oh no.

This sleek and highly polished little beauty is the product of those highly scientific Americans at Oregon Scientific, which is a company, not a geeky periodical. Not only is it designed to wake one from one's morning slumber in the manner of an alarm clock, it was also created to beautifully project the time on to one's wall or ceiling (replete with, wait for it, an image focussing knob), thereby removing the need to raise one's head from one's pillow. Magic.

Yet this black box of tricks is clever. Cleverer, than, say, a gerbil or guinea pig, neither of which are configured to receive and decode the MSF signal broadcast from the Anthorn transmitter in Cumbria. And given that the underlying technology behind this signal is the output of no fewer than three atomic clocks, one can be sure that it is as accurate as British technology will allow. Hurrah.

The signal, should it be of any interest, enables said clock to stay in step with the nation, timewise, and automatically adjust for the vagaries of GMT and BST, providing yet greater incentive to stay in one's bed.