diff --git a/modules/BackgroundOverlay.qml b/modules/BackgroundOverlay.qml
index 12c27b9..70a98fc 100644
--- a/modules/BackgroundOverlay.qml
+++ b/modules/BackgroundOverlay.qml
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ PanelWindow {
                     font.pixelSize: 72
                     font.family: M.Theme.fontFamily
                     font.bold: true
+                    opacity: 0.85
                     anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
 
                     property int _colorIdx: 0
@@ -113,13 +114,13 @@ PanelWindow {
                     Behavior on color {
                         enabled: !M.Theme.reducedMotion
                         ColorAnimation {
-                            duration: 800
+                            duration: 500
                         }
                     }
 
+                    // Fired once per second in sync with the clock tick
                     SequentialAnimation {
-                        loops: Animation.Infinite
-                        running: !M.Theme.reducedMotion
+                        id: colonAnim
                         NumberAnimation {
                             target: colon
                             property: "opacity"
@@ -127,12 +128,6 @@ PanelWindow {
                             duration: 150
                             easing.type: Easing.InOutSine
                         }
-                        PauseAnimation {
-                            duration: 700
-                        }
-                        ScriptAction {
-                            script: colon._colorIdx++
-                        }
                         NumberAnimation {
                             target: colon
                             property: "opacity"
@@ -140,8 +135,15 @@ PanelWindow {
                             duration: 150
                             easing.type: Easing.InOutSine
                         }
-                        PauseAnimation {
-                            duration: 700
+                    }
+
+                    Connections {
+                        target: clock
+                        function onDateChanged() {
+                            if (M.Theme.reducedMotion)
+                                return;
+                            colon._colorIdx++;
+                            colonAnim.restart();
                         }
                     }
                 }