clock
Let an agent handle clocks by mechanism, accuracy, time source and use, as instruments that make time visible.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle clocks by mechanism, accuracy, time source and use, as instruments that make time visible.
An instrument that measures and displays time, by mechanical, electrical, electronic or atomic means, from wall clocks to astronomical and public clocks.
What it is for: Showing the time of day and keeping time for coordination.
It can be read the time; set and synchronise it; maintain and repair it; collect and conserve historic clocks.
Distinguishing features
Measures and displays time
Accuracy depends on mechanism and synchronisation
Radio and network clocks synchronise automatically
Watches are portable clocks
What it looks like
A dial with hands or a digital display, in a case; public and astronomical clocks show more than time.
Physical character
quartz accuracy: 10-30 seconds per month - typical
atomic clock stability: 1 in 10^15 or better fractional
How it is recognised
Dial and hands or digits
Pendulum, spring or quartz movement
Floral and street clocks as public forms
Related models
measures - quantity
is a kind of - device
is synchronised by - reference
is confused with - portable
In practice
Families and kinds
mechanical clocks
quartz clocks
radio-controlled clocks
atomic clocks
public and astronomical clocks
floral clocks
Standards and regulation
ITU time signal standards
Radio time signals such as DCF77 and MSF
Heritage protection for historic public clocks
Failure modes and hazards
Drift and wrong time
Daylight saving not applied
Battery leakage
Also called
+83
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.clock
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Mechanism How it keeps time.
Mechanism decides accuracy and care.
Type
Mechanical, quartz, atomic.
Mechanism
The mechanism.
- What mechanism does this clock use? definition
- How is it powered? definition
Accuracy
Drift.
Accuracy
Accuracy.
- How accurate is it? measurement
- How often must it be corrected? measurement
Time source Setting and synchronising.
Synchronisation keeps clocks correct.
Synchronisation
Radio, network, manual.
Sync
Synchronisation method.
- How is the clock set or synchronised? definition
- Does it handle daylight saving? boundary
Time zone
Local time.
Zone
Time zone setting.
- Which time zone does it show? definition
- Is that correct for its location? boundary
Care Maintenance.
Clocks need maintenance.
Service
Cleaning and repair.
Service
Service needs.
- When was it last serviced? provenance
- Who can repair it? action
Power
Batteries and winding.
Power
Power needs.
- How often must it be wound or have its battery changed? measurement
- How should old batteries be disposed of? action
Heritage Historic clocks.
Some clocks are heritage objects.
History
Maker and date.
History
Maker and date.
- Who made it, and when? provenance
- Is it signed? provenance
Protection
Heritage status.
Protection
Protection status.
- Is it a protected heritage object? provenance
- What conservation does it need? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should clock types be separate entries?
- How should synchronisation sources be recorded?
- How should historic clocks be linked to heritage records?