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Clock Faces

Perhaps the most striking part of the clock is the clock face. This is the part that creates the first impression. Exquisitely designed clock faces are pleasing to the eyes. Clock faces display the time through permanent numbered dials or mechanical hands. The dials work in a 12-hour cycle. This is the most acceptable method that is recognized and widely applied worldwide. In this scheme, the dial is numbered 1-12. The short hour hand rotates twice a day, while a longer hand called the minute hand revolves once per hour. Some incorporates a “second hand” which makes one complete round every minute. The same term is used in digital clocks and watches to refer to the time display.

Aside from the widely known 12-hour cycle, a 24-hour analog dial also exist. These kinds are mostly used in some organizations like the military. These clocks show numbers 1-24 around the exterior and the hour hand revolves once per day. Some clocks are made for special purposes like measuring segments that are less than an hour. Sporting events clocks and darkroom timers are examples of this kind.

Two numbering systems are commonly shown in clock faces; the Roman and the Hindu-Arabic numerals. Faces could either have one of these numerals or have a combination of both. When used in combination, the Roman numerals normally indicate the hour and the Hindu-Arabic indicating the minutes. Long case clocks, popularly known as grandfather clocks, exhibit Roman numerals for the hours. In the mid-18th century, clocks using solely Arabic numerals began to emerge. In some cases, like that of watches, the undistinguished hour symbols are substituted. One classic example is the face of the Movado Museum watch which is known for its unique feature which is a solitary dot at the 12:00 position.

Clocks existed prior these clock faces. In the 13th Century Europe, the early clocks were the striking clocks. They were created for the sole purpose of giving indicators to the people to say their prayers upon the striking of the bell which signifies a holy hour. These devices were installed in public places to make sure that the bells were capable of being heard by most of the populace. These mechanical clocks bestowed a brilliant idea to some clock makers. They deciphered that a system can be made out of the existing mechanism of striking clocks. Their wheels can actually be used to steer a pointer on the dial at the exterior of the tower. This cursor can be widely seen by many.

This advancement led to the introduction of a fixed hand that point to the numbers on the dial to indicate the hour. This happened prior the late 15th century. This eventually led to the use of a rotating hand on a fixed dial. The minute hand was introduced long after these developments. They came to be used around 1960 after the invention of the pendulum. This invention is said to have introduced a system that ensures accuracy in time telling. The clockwise movement of the hands was patterned after the movement of the sundial. In the Northern hemisphere, where the clock face supposedly comes from, the shade of a gnomon of a sundial rotates clockwise throughout the daylight.