TIME EXPLAINED
The history of timekeeping
Measuring time has helped people organise their lives since the earliest observations of the sky.
Sun, shadows and natural cycles
Day and night, seasons and the apparent movement of the sun provided the first markers. Sundials made them visible, but depended on light and location.
Mechanical clocks
Mechanical clocks made timekeeping more regular and less dependent on sunlight. They shaped city life, trade and eventually personal time. Swiss watchmaking contributed strongly to the search for precision.
Digital time
Today, atomic references and synchronisation networks connect clocks around the world. Behind a simple display lies a long history of observation, engineering and shared coordination.