mechanical clock
Spring-driven timekeeper
A mechanical clock keeps time through physical mechanisms—gears, springs, and escapements—rather than electronics.
The term distinguishes traditional clockwork from quartz and digital timekeeping.
Mechanical clocks require periodic winding to store energy, whether by hand, weights, or automatic movement: The grandfather clock is a mechanical clock that needs winding weekly.
- gearsToothed rotating machine parts
- pendulumSuspended swinging weight
- tickingRhythmic mechanical sound
- chimeMelodic bell sound
- escapementTick-controlling clock component
mainspring · cogs · timepiece · winding · winding key · hands · dial · tower · grandfather · weights · tick tock · striking · bells · horology · springs · movement · Swiss movement · Swiss
- inventionsprinting press, steam engine, lightbulb, light bulb, microscope
- Pre-electric technologywaterwheel, water wheel, windlass, pulley, plow
- timepieceswristwatch, pocket watch, stopwatch, watch, sundial
- analogturntable, hourglass, phonograph, gramophone, reel-to-reel
- analog devicesvinyl, pocket watch, stopwatch, watch, wristwatch
- Asian inventionsgunpowder, paper money, compass, silk production, movable type
mechanical clockdigital clock
Timekeeper showing numerals
atomic clock · quartz clock · digital watch · smart watch · LED clock
mechanical clocksundial
Shadow-based timekeeper
electric clock · circadian rhythm · hourglass · water clock · lunar cycle
mechanical, clock, mechanic, mechanics, mechanism, mechanize, mechanized, mechanization, mechanistic