10 Ridiculously Complicated Ways People Used to Tell Time

Before smartphones and wristwatches, telling time required a little more ingenuity—and a lot more moving parts. From burning candles with nails to intricate hydraulic machines powered by flowing water, ancient and medieval societies developed bizarrely creative timekeeping systems. These methods were often wildly elaborate, borderline ceremonial, and sometimes only accurate within a half-hour window. Still, they worked (mostly), and some were surprisingly beautiful. Here are 10 of the most complicated, charmingly impractical ways people used to measure time before the quartz revolution.

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1. Medieval Astronomical Clocks That Needed Teams to Maintain

In medieval Europe, some of the most ambitious timekeeping devices were astronomical clocks, massive machines that tracked not just the hour but also lunar phases, planetary orbits, zodiac positions, and religious feast days. These clocks, built into cathedrals and civic towers, featured moving figurines, rotating celestial spheres, and chiming automata. Behind the scenes, however, these clocks required daily winding and frequent manual adjustments. Some cities even had guilds dedicated solely to their maintenance. Despite the labor, they symbolized technological mastery and civic pride.

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2. The Roman Sundial That Required a User Manual

Though sundials appear simple, Roman versions were highly complex. Many were designed for specific latitudes, so relocating them would lead to inaccuracies unless recalibrated. Some included engraved correction charts and required mathematical tables. Wealthy Romans consulted experts to interpret them, especially during rituals. Even Roman poet Propertius mocked one that “never told the right time,” illustrating just how frustrating these intricate instruments could be despite their beautiful craftsmanship.

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3. Japanese Wadokei Clocks with Seasonal Hours

During Japan’s Edo period, clocks followed a temporal hour system—dividing day and night into six segments each, regardless of season. In summer, hours stretched over 90 minutes; in winter, they could shrink below 45. Clockmakers developed “wadokei,” mechanical clocks that adjusted to these variations. They used sliding dial plates or multiple foliot balances. Owners had to recalibrate the clocks roughly every 15 days using the lunar calendar. These clocks reflected a worldview in tune with natural rhythms, not fixed intervals.

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4. Al-Jazari’s Elephant Clock

In the 13th century, Islamic engineer Al-Jazari created the Elephant Clock—an ornate blend of science, symbolism, and spectacle. The base was a giant elephant, with a mechanical scribe, a Chinese dragon, Egyptian phoenixes, and Persian waterworks atop it. Inside, a float-based timer triggered gears that made humanoid figures strike cymbals and birds chirp. It reset automatically every half hour. Al-Jazari’s book detailing the design is considered one of the earliest texts on robotics and programmable machines.

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5. Nocturnal Dials That Needed Stars and a Steady Hand

Used between the 14th and 17th centuries, nocturnals were handheld devices used by sailors to tell time at night. Users aligned them with Polaris (the North Star) and a reference star, then used the angular difference to estimate time. These instruments required perfect weather, a steady hand, and astronomical knowledge. Some were finely crafted from brass; others were simple wood versions. They were precursors to sextants and marine chronometers.

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6. The Greek Clepsydra That Measured Speeches

The clepsydra, or water clock, was widely used in ancient Greece, particularly in courtrooms. Litigants had a set time to speak, measured by water draining from one vessel into another. Interruptions required precise stopping and restarting. Some clepsydras were decorated bronze models. The phrase “running out of water” became synonymous with running out of time. These clocks added structure to legal proceedings but also stress.

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7. Shadow Clocks That Shifted Every Month

Long before sundials became standard, ancient Egyptians used “merkhets” or shadow clocks. These used a vertical stick and carved scales to track shadow movement. Because the sun’s path changes monthly, the devices had to be realigned using stars like Orion and Canis Major. Some clocks had 12 or 24 divisions and required a deep understanding of astronomy. They were mainly used by temple priests for scheduling offerings and ceremonies.

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8. The Chinese Water Clock Tower That Rang Bells

In the 11th century, polymath Su Song built a nearly 40-foot-tall hydraulic astronomical clock tower in China. It featured a waterwheel, celestial globe, and mechanical puppets. Water drove a gear system that turned astronomical charts and sounded bells. Wooden figures announced time in royal courts. Though dismantled after 35 years, it introduced one of the first mechanical escapements—a concept still used in clocks today.

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9. Incense Clocks That Measured Time in Scents

Used in China, Japan, and Korea, incense clocks burned lines or spirals of incense calibrated to specific time intervals. Some featured changing scents, while others had threads that released beads into bowls for a chime. Especially popular in Buddhist monasteries, they were both functional and spiritual. The Song Dynasty produced the most elaborate models. Though sensitive to airflow and fragile, they offered a quiet, elegant way to track time.

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10. Candle Clocks with Metal Weights

Used in medieval Europe, China, and Japan, candle clocks burned down at a regular pace. Time intervals were marked with metal nails or balls that would fall with a clang. King Alfred of England and Tang poet Yen Fu used them. Some clocks had protective glass or lanterns. However, burning speed was affected by drafts, wax type, and wick size, making them unreliable without constant attention.