When it comes to timekeeping, the pace of play on the golf course is one of the hot topics of conversation within the industry.

And whilst many general managers and directors of golf do their utmost to ensure that golfers get around the course as quickly as possible, ensuring that they arrive in plenty of time ahead of their allotted tee-time, is also a crucial part of process.

Most mid-to-high end clubs – many of whom employ starters – will request that golfers arrive on the first tee ten minutes ahead of their allotted time, which perhaps explains why so many clubs across the world are installing city clocks around the course, to gently remind patrons of their responsibilities.

And one of the leading manufacturers of these stylish timepieces are Italian manufacturer ECAT.

Founded in 1971 in Mondovì, a city in northern Italy with an established industrial and artisan history, the company began as a provider of electrical and control systems for industrial applications. It later specialised in the design and production of precision clocks for public, institutional, and architectural purposes.

The original workshop expanded gradually, maintaining a focus on mechanical quality, reliability, and aesthetic design. In the 1980s and 1990s, ECAT developed a reputation in Italy for manufacturing tower and street clocks, as well as bell automation systems used in churches and civic facilities.

By integrating traditional Italian craftsmanship with advanced electronic technologies and production techniques, ECAT produced timekeeping systems that combined durability, visual appeal, and technical innovation. The company was among the early adopters in Italy of radio-controlled and GPS synchronisation technologies in public clocks, enabling precise and autonomous operation.

At present, ECAT operates as an independent and vertically integrated manufacturer. All components, from mechanical parts to electronics and software, are designed, manufactured, and assembled internally by its engineering and technical staff.

This approach enables the company to offer custom solutions, product reliability, and ongoing technical support for clients such as municipalities and private entities. The company provides products internationally, including completed projects across Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions.

And from September 2025, ECAT plans to open a representative office in Dubai to serve architects, developers, and business partners in the Gulf region.

ECAT clocks are installed in various locations such as urban areas, parks, railway stations, airports, universities, pedestrian zones, sports complexes, resorts, hotels, and retail spaces. The company has also been selected for collaborative projects with several Italian brands.

In 2016, ECAT produced a large exterior clock for the Pagani Automobili facility in Modena and has worked with Panerai to develop custom time displays to match their standards.

But it is in the golf sector where the Italian manufacturer is now focused, with ambitious plans to provide golf clubs of every size and stature, the ability to stylishly enhance the club’s identity and brand to members and visitors alike.

While ECAT offers a range of industrial and monumental clock models, the most relevant option for most golf clubs is the CityClock… a GPS synchronised street clock.

CityClock was developed to combine Italian design, precision engineering, and nearly zero maintenance operation. Born from the expertise of ECAT’s engineers, CityClock is designed to function autonomously for many years on long-life battery power, integrating GPS for absolute accuracy and automatic correction of hand position – ideal for uninterrupted outdoor use.

Key specifications and features include GPS synchronisation and self correction; automatic time adjustment even after power outages, and DST time changes and maintaining precision at one-thousandth of a second per year.

The CityClock comes with a long-life lithium battery – for power usage up to nine years – or a 220 AC hard-wired connection, and can be pole, wall or ceiling mounted.

Made from oven-varnished galvanized steel and aluminium with epoxy powder coating, all CityClocks are guaranteed IP55 weather resistance, and include Plexiglas or unbreakable acrylic cover for UV and shock protection.

Available in modular and customisable designs, golf clubs have numerous options to choose from including single or double-faced clock faces featuring classic, modern or industrial numerals plus the option of LED lighting for night-time visibility.

Plus, every golf club has the option to integrate their club’s logo directly onto the clock dial, ensuring continuity of branding across the course.

“CityClock’s blend of functional reliability and architectural elegance makes it especially suitable for outdoor settings like golf clubs, luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and upscale public environments,” said Valentina Giacardi of ECAT.

“Positioned at entrances, first tees, or walkways, it serves as both a practical wayfinder and a refined design element.

“And to help golf club managers to visualize how a clock could look like on their golf course, we have created an online CityClock Configurator – available on our website – which features different models, mounting configurations, and customisations in real time to help create the perfect clock before ordering,” added Giacardi.

ECAT is a family-owned Italian company with origins dating back to Amilcare Gallo and his brother Sergio Gallo, two skilled technicians with a shared passion for mechanical precision and industrial design.

Together, they laid the foundation for what would become one of Italy’s leading manufacturers of monumental and civic clocks.

In the early years, the company operated as a small technical workshop focused on control systems and electrical automation.

It was Lucetta Beccaria, Amilcare’s wife, who soon joined the project and helped consolidate the company’s management and operational framework. Her presence marked the beginning of ECAT as a true family enterprise – a characteristic that still defines the company today.

Amilcare, Lucetta, and their son Maurizio Gallo now guide the company together, combining decades of technical, administrative, and strategic experience. Under their leadership, ECAT has embraced modern technologies such as GPS synchronisation, remote diagnostics, while maintaining the values and spirit of its artisanal roots.

The company operates with a close-knit team of 18 employees, including technical, and production staff – a structure that ensures both agility and depth of knowledge.

“What sets ECAT apart is its ability to blend engineering precision with architectural sensitivity – a skill passed down through generations,” added Giacardi.

“Working side by side, Amilcare, Lucetta, and Maurizio Gallo continue to lead the company with a shared vision: to create timepieces that are technically rigorous, visually distinctive, and built to last.

“As they see it, a clock is not only a tool – it’s a landmark. A way to shape space and perception. A way to turn time into something tangible. Our goal is to turn timekeeping into an integral part of architectural storytelling,” concluded Giacardi.