Saturday 07 / March / 2026
Since the dawn of human existence, humanity has sought methods for measuring time. The earliest instruments used for timekeeping included the sundial, the water clock (clepsydra), and the hourglass. These devices provided the basis for time measurement until the development of mechanical clocks.
The major shift in horology came with the invention of the spring-powered clock in the 15th century. This key innovation allowed for the creation of portable timepieces, driving a flourishing clock industry throughout the 15th and 16th centuries.
A critical leap in accuracy occurred after 1656 with the invention of the pendulum clock by Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens. The regulated swing of the pendulum provided unprecedented stability and precision, making these clocks the gold standard for over two centuries.
The concept of a personal timepiece evolved further with the wristwatch. An early version, patented in 1840, was key-wound, similar to its clock counterparts.
In the 19th century when wristwatches were becoming more common, they were luxury items. A watch could cost up to ten pounds sterling, which was reportedly equivalent to a clerk’s monthly salary at the time. Today, the ubiquity of manufacturing has drastically reduced prices, for instance, a basic digital watch can cost less than one Rial. This dramatic price decrease over time, largely driven by technological advancement and mass production, illustrates a clear case of deflation in timepiece cost.
The 20th century marked the transition to electronic timekeeping. The development of small, battery-powered semiconductor devices made electronic clocks and watches widespread, leading to the sophisticated digital and quartz watches we use today.
The contributions of Islamic civilization to the science of timekeeping are significant. From the 12th century AD, the engineer Al-Jazari (1136-1206 AD), who worked for the Artuqid king of Diyarbakir, crafted numerous sophisticated and mechanical clocks.
Al-Jazari, who hailed from Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), meticulously documented his inventions in his treatise, The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices. His creations, which included monumental pieces like the Elephant Clock, the Scribal Clock, and the Castle Clock, were symbols of status and wealth. These clocks not only told the time but also demonstrated complex astronomical and hydro-mechanical principles. Some of his designs have been successfully reconstructed in modern-times.
The dissemination of knowledge from the Islamic world, including texts on mechanical engineering and astronomical observations, played a vital role in the technological development that spread throughout Europe.
It is an interesting linguistic observation that Arabic uses a single term, ساعة (sa’ah) to refer to all timekeeping devices, much like the word for “hour”. Languages like English require two distinct words “clock” (a non-portable device) and “watch” (a portable, wearable device). However, Arabic makes a clear distinction when necessary by adding a modifier:
* ساعة معصم(sa’at mi’sam) for a wristwatch.
* ساعة حائط (sa’at ha’it) for a wall clock.
* The author is Training Manager (retired), Petroleum Development Oman LLC
