# Metro Minimalist Clock ## Overview https://youtu.be/8F8kPWR0KR8 ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/043/402/medium800/adafruit_products_IMG_2559_2k_b.jpg?1499030826) This Metro Mini microcontroller-based clock is a minimalist timepiece that celebrates, rather than hides, its components. It's a straightforward build, electronically, and it's up to you to house and display it any way you like! You can build it onto a breadboard, a perma-proto board, or even wire it dead-bug style without a board at all. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/043/382/medium800/adafruit_products_IMG_2592_2k.jpg?1499027529) ## For this build you'll need: ### Adafruit Metro Mini 328 V2 - Arduino-Compatible - 5V 16MHz [Adafruit Metro Mini 328 V2 - Arduino-Compatible - 5V 16MHz](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2590) One of our star development boards is the  **Adafruit METRO Mini 328** , an excellent lil fellow that lets you make your Arduino-based project tiny.  Recently we had to redesign this board to move from the obsolete CP2104 to the available CP2102N, and one thing... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2590) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2590/guides) ![Overhead shot of long skinny black microcontroller connected to an OLED screen and a temperature-and-humidity sensor. The sensor data displays on the OLED.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/2590-13.jpg) ### Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout [Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3013) The datasheet for the **DS3231** explains that this part is an "Extremely Accurate I²C-Integrated RTC/TCXO/Crystal". And, hey, it does exactly what it says on the tin! This **Real Time Clock (RTC)** is the most precise you can get in a small, low power... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3013) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3013/guides) ![Angled Shot of the Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3013-06.jpg) ### Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display w/I2C Backpack - White [Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display w/I2C Backpack - White](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1002) What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1002) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1002/guides) ![White 7-segment clock display soldered to backpack with all segments lit](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/1002-03.jpg) ### 5V 1A (1000mA) USB port power supply - UL Listed [5V 1A (1000mA) USB port power supply - UL Listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/501) Need a USB jack for charging or powering a project, but don't want to lug around a computer? This switching supply gives a clean regulated output at up to 1000mA! 110 or 240 input, so it works in any country. The plugs are "US 2-prong" style so you may need a plug adapter, but... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/501) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/501/guides) ![Wall wart power supply with 2 US prong power](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/501-05.jpg) ### Full Sized Premium Breadboard - 830 Tie Points [Full Sized Premium Breadboard - 830 Tie Points](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239) This is a 'full-size' premium quality breadboard, 830 tie points. Good for small and medium projects. It's 2.2" x 7" (5.5 cm x 17 cm) with a standard double-strip in the middle and two power rails on both sides. You can pull the power rails off easily to make the... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/239/guides) ![Angled shot of full sized breadboard.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/239-03.jpg) Optionally: - Perma Proto board, or - Female header pin strips, x2 - Colored filter gel, tape Let's have a look at building the electronics next. - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/metro-minimalist-clock/clock-circuit.md) ## Guide Products ### Adafruit Metro Mini 328 V2 - Arduino-Compatible - 5V 16MHz [Adafruit Metro Mini 328 V2 - Arduino-Compatible - 5V 16MHz](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2590) One of our star development boards is the  **Adafruit METRO Mini 328** , an excellent lil fellow that lets you make your Arduino-based project tiny.  Recently we had to redesign this board to move from the obsolete CP2104 to the available CP2102N, and one thing... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2590) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2590/guides) ### Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout [Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3013) The datasheet for the **DS3231** explains that this part is an "Extremely Accurate I²C-Integrated RTC/TCXO/Crystal". And, hey, it does exactly what it says on the tin! This **Real Time Clock (RTC)** is the most precise you can get in a small, low power... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3013) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3013/guides) ### Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display w/I2C Backpack - White [Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display w/I2C Backpack - White](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1002) What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1002) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1002/guides) ### 5V 1A (1000mA) USB port power supply - UL Listed [5V 1A (1000mA) USB port power supply - UL Listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/501) Need a USB jack for charging or powering a project, but don't want to lug around a computer? This switching supply gives a clean regulated output at up to 1000mA! 110 or 240 input, so it works in any country. The plugs are "US 2-prong" style so you may need a plug adapter, but... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/501) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/501/guides) ### Full Sized Premium Breadboard - 830 Tie Points [Full Sized Premium Breadboard - 830 Tie Points](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239) This is a 'full-size' premium quality breadboard, 830 tie points. Good for small and medium projects. It's 2.2" x 7" (5.5 cm x 17 cm) with a standard double-strip in the middle and two power rails on both sides. You can pull the power rails off easily to make the... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/239/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit LED Backpacks](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-led-backpack.md) - [Adafruit IO IOT Hub with the Adafruit FunHouse](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-io-hub-with-the-adafruit-funhouse.md) - [Grand Central USB MIDI Controller in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/grand-central-usb-midi-controller-in-circuitpython.md) - [Raspberry Pi E-Ink Event Calendar using Python](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-e-ink-desk-calendar-using-python.md) - [PropMaker Jack O'Lantern](https://learn.adafruit.com/propmaker-jack-o-lantern.md) - [Adding a Real Time Clock to Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adding-a-real-time-clock-to-raspberry-pi.md) - [Pepper's Ghost Monster Eye](https://learn.adafruit.com/peppers-ghost-monster-eye.md) - [How to Choose a Microcontroller](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-choose-a-microcontroller.md) - [MagTag Cat Fed Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/magtag-cat-feeder-clock.md) - [Air Quality Sensor 3D Printed Enclosure](https://learn.adafruit.com/air-quality-sensor-silo-house.md) - [An Introduction to RP2040 PIO with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/intro-to-rp2040-pio-with-circuitpython.md) - [PyPortal Pet Planter with Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-pet-planter-with-adafruit-io.md) - [CircuitPython Essentials](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-essentials.md) - [CircuitPython OLED and Dual Knob Sketcher](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-oled-knob-sketcher.md) - [LoRa and LoRaWAN Radio for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/lora-and-lorawan-radio-for-raspberry-pi.md) - [Holiday IoT Switch](https://learn.adafruit.com/holiday-iot-switch.md)