Anybody have experience in hanging a huge clock?
For large heavy objects that you want to span multiple studs, I like a french cleat. You can buy them out of metal from the store, or make your own by ripping a board at 45 degrees along it's length.



Screw in the wall part to each stud with a long screw or lag bolt, and get either a counter sunk or flush head. And on the back of the clock, you can use lots of short screws that won't come through the face. When hanging, the two boards overlap to hold in place. For added security, you can install a single screw at the bottom of the clock into a stud to prevent it from being lifted up or away from the wall.