Digital clocks are not known for their good design look unfortunately. I'd suggest getting the smallest one you can find and placing it on HIS nightstand. Many are now LED which is great for longevity but they are very bright. Have you ever seen the new LED nightlights? You could land a plane with them. You may need to carefully place a couple + layers of tissue paper (not kleenex/tissue) over the display to tone down the light and not have it light up the whole room. He'll still be able to see the numbers through the paper - LEDs don't produce heat so it's safe.

What color are your nightstands? I would get a clock that "matches" and will be less noticeable.

I just did Google searches for wood digital clock and white digital clock. There are many finish options.

Frankly I'm with him. Of all the joint decisions one needs when working on a mutual home, this is not one to fret about. You will be living in this home. Function over looks is a REAL THING. Google gives you THOUSANDS of options.

It doesn’t have to be “chunky “, & btw, I agree with your husband. An easy to read clock in the middle of the night is is a must for me too. I even take one with me while traveling.... just in case . Function over form.

Tell him to use his phone.

I can understand why he needs one for sure, He works a lot of different night shifts so he truly does need to know. I typically look at my phone if I need to see the time in the middle of the night... I thought he did the same and the digital clock was just there because I brought it with me years ago from when I lived at home with my parents. He actually didn't realize how much he needed it until a few weeks ago when something got set in front of it and he ended up panicking out of a half-sleep trance when he couldn't see it. Now he has become passionate about it lol He knows he gave me the entire house to decorate because all he cares about is his big workshop but now he is wanting to constantly reiterate to me that he NEEDS that clock! Which is fine lol it won't bother me as long as I can find one that doesn't look like the brick we have now. I want to go ahead and buy it to ease his mind and so we have it when we are able to move in. I don't want anything standing in our way of being able to sleep in our new home as soon as we can, especially something as minor as a clock! Haha!

I have one of these. the bonus is you can shut it and it also has a wonderful chime that gradually increases in frequency, like a snooze feature. mine's probably 20 years old.

zen clock

I have owned this one in black for a few years now and I think I looks good and performs well. The link is for it on amazon.
soundfreaq

There are quite a few options out there right now! Honestly, the last time I checked Target had some really great options:

some even come with a bluetooth speaker as well...

We are people who need a clock to look at in the bedroom. We do not take our phones into the bedroom with us. It is our disconnect time. I would advise that when you buy one that it has a dimmer for the numbers. Some can be so bright. I found out that green numbers are not as bright as red numbers. I don't think anyone is going to walk into your bedroom and say how awful it looks because you have one little clock on the nightstand. If you hubby wants a clock, get him one. After all it is his bedroom also.