Do you have pictures of the finished piece?

Neat project, kudos to you for setting out to make something of your own. A few thoughts: your photo of the mocked up board back is on the right track - your design will look a lot cleaner, be easier to assemble and be more structurally sound if you take the time to true up the interior blocks. Square the back side as best as possible with a table saw or radial arm saw, then run them through a jointer on either side that will be glued to - you want smooth 90 degree angles for your assembling. On the exterior pieces, only true up the interior that will be glued, leave the side that will be facing out as rustic as possible. If you do this, you will end up with a nice looking panel that shouldn't require a backboard like you've glued up in some photos - I should also note that backboard is exceptionally flimsy and will warp in different seasons. When all is said and done, use a router to bore out a space for the clock internals in the back and you will be set. Lastly, look into transferring imagery to wood, it's quite easy and would service to enhance the patina of the wood. 

P.S. You can purchase a glass cutter for under $20 and repurpose that collection of Perrier bottles into some beautiful overhead lighting by clipping a few inches above the bottom of the bottle and wiring them with a compatible socket. Make that clock look that much better. 

Thanks for the pointers, Ben! Will the boards still warp even if they are pretty dry and thin to begin with? I don't have access to a planer or table saw as I work right out of my studio apartment. I was thinking the same thing with the perrier bottles. I currently have about 40 perrier bottles ranging from small to the liter size that I am planning on turning into lamps! 

Just uploaded it!

Do you have pictures of the finished piece?

Wow man, that turned out GREAT! Very creative.

Just uploaded it!

@sean  said:

Do you have pictures of the finished piece?