Mechanical timers rely on clockwork gears and springs to operate, which can slowly become less accurate over time or break altogether. The Samshow and TimeStack both had individual flashing indicators for each of their multiple timers. During our cleaning tests, timers with a recessed screen tended to pick up more flour in their nooks and crannies, and it was harder to wipe them out. This mesmerizing spectacle is a symphony of mechanical poetry, a delight for the eyes and a captivating glimpse into the passage of time.

As time passes, the watch hands gracefully dance around the fixed clock at its center, and the minute hand elegantly rests above it. With four (very loud) independent timers and an extra-large display, the TimeStack is ideal for busy kitchens. The PiepEi egg time by Brutus Kookt permits you to do something else when cooking eggs: it plays a tune when the eggs are ready. When we originally published this review in 2016, the ThermoWorks TimeStick Trio and OXO Good Grips Digital Kitchen Timer were our winners.

Thus the PiepEi also works when the water does not boil and when the eggs are put into a pan with cold or boiling water. Depending on how the sunlight was filtering into the kitchen, we had to rotate the timer to read the screen better. Each timer has its own custom beep and a flashing light so you can tell which one is going off from a distance, and you can even record your own messages for custom alarms. It means a lot to us to hear that the Egg Timer Hourglass Ashes Necklaces were found to be perfect gifts to remember her.

This was a huge plus for being able to tell which timers were going off from across the room, but it’s also a good consideration for the hard of hearing. It also doesn’t have a full keypad, which makes entering times a bit of a pain, and there’s no backlight, either.

A handy gadget for perfectly cooked eggs for Sunday breakfast and an original gift with a touch of Dutch.