Image of Time

[Fred56]

Who has a good explanation for why we prefer watches and clocks that display the passage or progress of Time, as hands moving around a circular face -like a compass?

Rather than numbers, or any other possible (especially nowadays) ways we can represent it (different colour changes, or sounds -which are only associated nowadays -we see the pointers on a face as the 'master' time)? What's so reassuring or compelling about hands, pointing at the current time of day? Even braille watches are like this, I believe, and most people who have a time display on their pc screen set it to a standard clock with a face.

[JaKiri]

Easier to read, although I doubt that "most people who have a time display on their PC screen set it a standard clock with a face", as the default Windows one is digital.

[carol]

interesting observation. but i like the ones that display numbers though. they allow me to tell time right away. I sometimes get confused when the hour hand is so much nearer to the next hour.

[ydoaPs]

I was under the impression that most people use the standard digital display. I'm not even sure how to change that setting.

[Mr Skeptic]

Who has a good explanation for why we prefer watches and clocks that display the passage or progress of Time, as hands moving around a circular face -like a compass?

Rather than numbers, or

 

Because you are old?

[Fred56]

So how many watches have any of you seen for sale that are digital, not Swiss movement (as seems to be the popular choice)?

(I haven't changed my Gentoo distro's desktop clock yet from number display mode, 'shudder')

[Sisyphus]

Watches are basically just jewelry, nowadays. Any preference for a circular clock face has to be aesthetic. If people see them as somehow more fundamental or more trustworthy, I certainly haven't noticed it.

[carol]

and the clock on my pc is on a standard clock with a face because I don't have time to change it.

[Realitycheck]

It's a style thing. The standard circular clock has a look of class to it, if done right, while the digital display is more of a modern look, primarily reserved for masculine, sporty settings. Of course, there are no absolutes when it comes to style.

[carol]

but could you say the ones with hands are more preferred than the ones with digital display?

[Fred56]

Well, it's kind of hard to buy a watch that isn't a standard-looking wind-up job, but you don't wind it any more (there's this little battery thingy inside).

But did u know that the clock face with hands was the first major medieval institution of standard time? The village clock tower...