This isn't about the number of brands, but about confusing marketing, which in many ways is bad for true competition, because it confuses the buyer.

What kind of confusing marketing? Clocks are decorative products, having several different designs with same mechanism isn't just logical but also market working as it should. This way you can choose the clock that fits your preference and fits into your living space.

I don't quite understand this rant - it's like complaining there's toomany different paintings to choose to put on the wall.

An analogy would be not being able to browse by painter.