Devices used for tracking time have been around for thousands of years. Days were first divided into two 12-hour periods by the Ancient Egyptians, who also created the water clock. Other common ancient timekeeping devices were the timestick, hourglass, and candle clock. Early clocks used shadows made by the sun, similarly to the sundials used today. The word 'clock' comes from the Medieval Latin 'clocca', which means bell. Bells marked the passage of hours of time at sea and within abbeys. Mechanical clocks did not become widely used in the West until the 14th century. And the first pendulum clock was designed and built by Christiaan Huygens, a Dutch scientist, in the 17th century. Work schedules and prayer were regulated within medieval religious institutions, and the earliest clockmakers of medieval Europe were Christian monks. Dials within early clocks did not indicate minutes and seconds. The first mention of a minutes dial can be found in a manuscript from 1475, and in Germany during the 15th century clocks existed that indicated both minutes and seconds. Clockmaking and watchmaking both have very fascinating histories. Learn many more exciting facts about antique pocket watches and vintage clocks within our new catalog.

Various timepieces continue to evolve even today. New advances in watchmakers tools and clock kits help to keep track of time more accurately. And over the years, clocks continue to get smaller and smaller. Antique grandfather clocks paved the road to smaller mantle clocks. And as technology increased, antique pocket watches began to grow in popularity. Learn more about unusual watches and funky clocks by taking the time to browse our wide selection of vintage reproductions.