diff --git a/timeRequest.ino b/timeRequest.ino
index 9a6905a..c10241c 100644
--- a/timeRequest.ino
+++ b/timeRequest.ino
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@
 
 void printDigits(int digits){
   // utility function for digital clock display: prints preceding colon and leading 0
-  Serial.print(":");
   if(digits < 10)
     Serial.print('0');
   Serial.print(digits);
@@ -63,16 +62,17 @@
   {
     setTime(ts);
 
-    Serial.print(hour());
+    printDigits(hour());
+    Serial.write(':');
     printDigits(minute());
+    Serial.write(':');
     printDigits(second());
-    Serial.print(" ");
-    Serial.print(day());
-    Serial.print(" ");
-    Serial.print(month());
-    Serial.print(" ");
-    Serial.print(year()); 
-    Serial.println(); 
+    Serial.write(' ');
+    printDigits(day());
+    Serial.write('.');
+    printDigits(month());
+    Serial.write('.');
+    Serial.println(year()); 
   }
 } // receiveTime