A quickly resettable timer is claimed which comprises a container having a base end and a reset end; a quantity of a flowing, particulate solid medium; a funnel-like receptacle having a loading orifice nearest the reset end and a metered orifice nearest the base end, the receptacle being mounted to and spaced from the interior wall sections of the container such that the particulate medium in the base end will flow over and around the receptacle and into the reset end upon inversion of the timer by rotation in any direction; and a ring fitted snugly against each interior wall section of the container intermediate the receptacle and the reset end, the ring having an aperture positioned above and sized smaller than the loading orifice of the receptacle. Preferably, the ring has inwardly protruding sides which taper toward each other to define the aperture. Most preferably, the receptacle and at least a portion of the container are made from a substantially transparent material.