and I'm glad I finally gave in and bought him. He's as cute as the picture and works like a charm.Reading other comments I hesitated but then I began thinking. Folks, I've yet to see a mechanical twisting-type timer that DIDN'T click. I've yet to see a mechanical twisting-type timer that you DIDN'T need to twist all the way and then back to set it (so that the tension is correct.) I'm not trying to be snide, but in my opinion, that's like complaining you can't set it to the second. And as far as the volume of the bell...its 2 inches in diameter and made of plastic...did you expect a foghorn????? If you have to leave the room before you think it will ding, I hope it's not toooooo heavy for you to take with you--ok, that was a little snide, but I mean really! :-)Finally, regarding how long it may last....again 2" and plastic...treat it gently, don't throw it around, don't put it next to a REALLY hot heat source so the poor thing doesn't get too hot (for example my apartments "vintage" oven vent is at the back of the stove top and actually melted my poor plastic tomato mechanical timer because I put too close), and keep it clean. It should last quite well for a $6.00 timer. If it doesn't work when you buy it or it stops after a light amount a use, return it (I hope a customer who might buy one that doesn't work on the very first go-around returns it--manufacturing errors do occur.)