diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/audio_clock.cc b/gtk2_ardour/audio_clock.cc
index 4eb8a2e8aa..ae170b8548 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/audio_clock.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/audio_clock.cc
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ AudioClock::AudioClock (const string& clock_name, bool transient, const string&
 	, last_sdelta (0)
 	, dragging (false)
 	, drag_field (Field (0))
+	, xscale (1.0)
+	, yscale (1.0)
 {
 	set_flags (CAN_FOCUS);
 
@@ -277,6 +279,15 @@ AudioClock::set_colors ()
 	queue_draw ();
 }
 
+void
+AudioClock::set_scale (double x, double y)
+{
+	xscale = x;
+	yscale = y;
+
+	queue_draw ();
+}
+
 void
 AudioClock::render (cairo_t* cr, cairo_rectangle_t*)
 {
@@ -296,10 +307,22 @@ AudioClock::render (cairo_t* cr, cairo_rectangle_t*)
 		cairo_fill (cr);
 	}
 
-	cairo_move_to (cr, (get_width() - layout_width) / 2.0, (upper_height - layout_height) / 2.0);
+	double lw = layout_width * xscale;
+	double lh = layout_height * yscale;
 
+	cairo_move_to (cr, (get_width() - lw) / 2.0, (upper_height - lh) / 2.0);
+
+	if (xscale != 1.0 || yscale != 1.0) {
+		cairo_save (cr);
+		cairo_scale (cr, xscale, yscale);
+	}
+	
 	pango_cairo_show_layout (cr, _layout->gobj());
 
+	if (xscale != 1.0 || yscale != 1.0) {
+		cairo_restore (cr);
+	}
+
 	if (_left_layout) {
 
 		double h = get_height() - upper_height - separator_height;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/audio_clock.h b/gtk2_ardour/audio_clock.h
index 259e330000..83bc3233c2 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/audio_clock.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/audio_clock.h
@@ -77,6 +77,14 @@ class AudioClock : public CairoWidget, public ARDOUR::SessionHandlePtr
 	void set_session (ARDOUR::Session *s);
         void set_negative_allowed (bool yn); 
 
+	/** Alter cairo scaling during rendering. 
+	 *
+	 * Used by clocks that resize themselves
+	 * to fit any given space. Can lead
+	 * to font distortion.
+	 */
+	void set_scale (double x, double y);
+	
 	static void print_minsec (framepos_t, char* buf, size_t bufsize, float frame_rate);
 
 	sigc::signal<void> ValueChanged;
@@ -232,6 +240,9 @@ class AudioClock : public CairoWidget, public ARDOUR::SessionHandlePtr
 
 	double bg_r, bg_g, bg_b, bg_a;
 	double cursor_r, cursor_g, cursor_b, cursor_a;
+
+	double xscale;
+	double yscale;
 };
 
 #endif /* __audio_clock_h__ */