Mechanical clock

A clock that measures time through a regulated mechanical oscillation transmitted by a gear train. Its mechanism advances timekeeping hands or another display at a controlled rate.

Escapement: A mechanism that releases a gear train in controlled steps, receiving impulses from an oscillator. It couples the clock’s moving gears to its timekeeping oscillation.
Water clock: A timekeeping device that measures time through the controlled flow of water. It represents a major pre-mechanical approach that clockmakers sought to surpass.
Clock tower: A tower built to house a clock, often with a visible dial or audible bells. Tower clocks made mechanical time available across a town.
Sundial: A device that indicates time from the Sun’s apparent position by casting a shadow. Unlike a mechanical clock, it depends on sunlight and local solar time.
Pendulum clock: A mechanical clock whose pendulum regulates the rate of its gear train. Its pendulum provides a clear example of an oscillator governing the escapement.
Verge escapement: An early escapement that uses a vertical shaft and pallets to control a toothed wheel. It powered many of the earliest European mechanical clocks.
Marine chronometer: A precision timekeeper designed to maintain accurate time aboard a moving ship. It adapted mechanical clockmaking to the problem of finding longitude at sea.
Quartz clock: A clock regulated by the vibration of a quartz crystal in an electronic circuit. It replaces the mechanical oscillator and gear train with electronic timekeeping.
Balance wheel: A wheel that oscillates back and forth to regulate a portable mechanical clock or watch. Portable clocks replace a pendulum with this compact regulator.
Medieval clock: A mechanical timekeeping device made in medieval Europe, often installed in a tower or public building. Its emergence marks the clock’s early public and institutional role.

Linked from 19 pages