# First clockmakers tracked time via sun, water and stars

2026-08-13T18:02:23+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

The first mechanical clocks, appearing in Europe in the 14th century, were accurate only to about 15 minutes per day, comparable to a good sundial. They did not invent the concept of time but instead reproduced divisions already established by thousands of years of observing the Sun, Moon, and stars. Early timekeeping relied on sundials (dating before 1500 BCE) and water clocks (clepsydras) used by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. The transition to mechanical clocks was gradual, with Chinese engineer Su Song building a sophisticated water-powered astronomical clock tower around 1088. Later, Christiaan Huygens' pendulum clock in 1656 and balance wheel in 1675 dramatically improved accuracy, enabling portable timepieces and revolutionising navigation and daily life.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/how-the-first-clockmaker-knew-the-correct-time-and-how-time-was-measured-before-mechanical-clocks/articleshow/133211503.cms>
- businesstoday.in <https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/story/how-did-the-first-clockmaker-know-the-right-time-the-answer-lies-in-the-sun-water-and-stars-549212-2026-08-14?utm_source=rssfeed>

Tags: history of timekeeping, Huygens pendulum, mechanical clocks, Su Song, sundials, water clocks
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