diff --git a/python-backend/config.yml.example b/python-backend/config.yml.example
index c11f02a..b854d62 100644
--- a/python-backend/config.yml.example
+++ b/python-backend/config.yml.example
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ general:
   # lircd itself is set up on the Pi). Omit the whole section to run without a remote.
   # Play/pause/stop/previous/forward/rewind/volume/mute map to normal music control;
   # number keys 0-9 play whatever the "remote:" section below assigns them; Guide
-  # (KEY_EPG) shows the kiosk's clock. Run with --log-level DEBUG to see the name of a
+  # (KEY_GUIDE) shows the kiosk's clock. Run with --log-level DEBUG to see the name of a
   # button that does nothing.
   lirc:
     host: "musicmouse-pi.local"
diff --git a/python-backend/musicmouse/services/lirc/service.py b/python-backend/musicmouse/services/lirc/service.py
index 8855abb..fd7c57c 100644
--- a/python-backend/musicmouse/services/lirc/service.py
+++ b/python-backend/musicmouse/services/lirc/service.py
@@ -47,8 +47,10 @@ _TRANSPORT: dict[str, Callable[[], IntentEvent]] = {
     "KEY_FORWARD": lambda: NextTrackRequested(source="lirc"),
     # Does nothing unless general.screen is configured - see ScreenService.
     "KEY_POWER": lambda: ToggleScreenRequested(source="lirc"),
-    # "Guide": what time is it. Shows the kiosk's clock overlay.
-    "KEY_EPG": lambda: ToggleClockRequested(source="lirc"),
+    # "Guide": what time is it. Shows the kiosk's clock overlay. KEY_GUIDE is what
+    # irserver's hauppauge.rem calls it (the ansible repo); lircd's own Hauppauge
+    # config says KEY_EPG.
+    "KEY_GUIDE": lambda: ToggleClockRequested(source="lirc"),
 }
 
 #: Acted on every repeat, for a continuous ramp while held - same feel as the rotary
diff --git a/python-backend/tests/test_lirc.py b/python-backend/tests/test_lirc.py
index 36dc6c6..e764ded 100644
--- a/python-backend/tests/test_lirc.py
+++ b/python-backend/tests/test_lirc.py
@@ -328,8 +328,8 @@ async def test_the_guide_key_asks_for_the_clock(
     task = await _run_service(sim, _lirc_config(port))
     try:
         await station.wait_connected()
-        await station.send("b7c0000000000000 00 key_epg hauppauge")
-        await station.send("b7c0000000000000 00 key_epg hauppauge")  # still held
+        await station.send("b7c0000000000000 00 key_guide hauppauge")
+        await station.send("b7c0000000000000 00 key_guide hauppauge")  # still held
         await sim.bus.drain()
     finally:
         task.cancel()
diff --git a/web/src/components/ClockOverlay.tsx b/web/src/components/ClockOverlay.tsx
index 7534566..e6ba4ed 100644
--- a/web/src/components/ClockOverlay.tsx
+++ b/web/src/components/ClockOverlay.tsx
@@ -4,9 +4,11 @@
  * minus the mascot swimming through the scene (too distracting for a clock you read
  * at a glance).
  *
- * Mounted for as long as the app is, and only hidden: Pos1 and the remote's Guide key
- * have to show it at once, not after a first render. The second ticker only runs while
- * it is on screen. Any click closes it. */
+ * Mounted for as long as the app is, and only hidden (by opacity, see clock.css): Pos1
+ * and the remote's Guide key have to show it at once, not after a first render and
+ * paint. What moves - the second ticker, the bubbles, a ringing countdown card - only
+ * exists while it is on screen, so a hidden clock costs nothing per frame. Any click
+ * closes it. */
 
 import { memo } from "react";
 
@@ -53,9 +55,10 @@ export function ClockOverlay({ visible, clock, onClose }: Props) {
       hidden={!visible}
       onClick={onClose}
       role="dialog"
+      aria-hidden={!visible}
       aria-label="Uhr"
     >
-      {SHOW_DECORATIVE_ANIMATIONS && (
+      {visible && SHOW_DECORATIVE_ANIMATIONS && (
         <Drift field={BUBBLES} bubbleColor={(alpha) => `oklch(90% 0.02 var(--hue) / ${alpha})`} />
       )}
 
@@ -79,7 +82,7 @@ export function ClockOverlay({ visible, clock, onClose }: Props) {
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      {countdowns.length > 0 && (
+      {visible && countdowns.length > 0 && (
         <div className="clock-countdowns">
           {countdowns.map((countdown) => (
             <CountdownCard key={countdown.kind} countdown={countdown} />
diff --git a/web/src/styles/clock.css b/web/src/styles/clock.css
index 9f9e077..fac985b 100644
--- a/web/src/styles/clock.css
+++ b/web/src/styles/clock.css
@@ -21,11 +21,17 @@
   );
   cursor: pointer;
   user-select: none;
+  will-change: opacity;
 }
 
-/* `display: flex` above would otherwise beat the `hidden` attribute. */
+/* Hidden by opacity, not `display: none`: the watch stays styled, laid out and
+   rasterized, so Pos1 or the remote's Guide key shows it in the next frame instead of
+   after the Pi has painted every gradient of the dial from scratch. `display: flex`
+   above would otherwise beat the `hidden` attribute anyway. */
 .clock-overlay[hidden] {
-  display: none;
+  display: flex;
+  opacity: 0;
+  pointer-events: none;
 }
 
 /* Upright screens: the countdowns go under the watch instead of beside it. */
@@ -62,7 +68,6 @@
   flex: none;
   width: 78vmin;
   height: 96vmin;
-  filter: drop-shadow(0 3vmin 5vmin oklch(15% 0.05 210 / 0.5));
 }
 
 .clock-strap {
@@ -72,6 +77,7 @@
   box-sizing: border-box;
   border: 0.55vmin solid var(--clock-ink);
   --strap: oklch(70% 0.16 340);
+  box-shadow: 0 3vmin 5vmin oklch(15% 0.05 210 / 0.35);
   background: linear-gradient(
     90deg,
     var(--strap) 0%,
@@ -144,6 +150,10 @@
   box-sizing: border-box;
   border-radius: 50%;
   border: 0.6vmin solid var(--clock-ink);
+  /* The watch's shadow. It used to be a drop-shadow filter on the whole watch, which
+     made the Pi re-render and re-blur the entire dial on every tick of the second
+     hand. */
+  box-shadow: 0 3vmin 5vmin oklch(15% 0.05 210 / 0.5);
   background:
     radial-gradient(
       circle closest-side,
@@ -347,6 +357,9 @@
   left: 50%;
   bottom: 50%;
   transform-origin: 50% 100%;
+  /* Each hand on its own layer: turning it moves a finished picture on the GPU,
+     and the dial underneath is never repainted. */
+  will-change: transform;
 }
 
 .clock-hand-hour,