There is a hidden collectible watch in the game belonging to Rosco Heller that allows you to not have to check in with the grandfather clocks, obtaining this item is very useful in the later instances where you have less time to check in with the clocks, want more time to explore, or just want the Unforseen Synergy achievement. While you no longer need to check in with the clocks, standing in front of them for a second like you would normally will register as a checkpoint like always.

Rosco's Watch can spawn in a set number of random locations between the first two grandfather clocks the player encounters. Additionally, the watch does not spawn on the first instance but appears on each instance thereafter (instance 2-4).

The watch will always be found wrapped around a candle.
Some locations are easier than others.

Here is a screenshot of one such location and the easiest to find.
(click to view full-size)

Hope this helped, and have fun exploring with all the time in the world after collecting the watch.