Most (all?) clocks have some sort of pendulum built in, either a proper one, a balance wheel or an ‘electronic’ one (quartz crystal). However, regardless of those differences all the clocks/watches I own tick once a second.
What makes that sound? Also, is it a mechanical necessity (like in light switches, see e.g. [this video by Technology Connections](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrMiqEkSk48)) or could we do without and it is a design choice by now (people just expect clocks to tick)?
In: Engineering
So mechanical watches are controlled by a coiled spring, there area series is gears and oscillating escape movements..the ticking sound is the teeth hitting the gears on the escape wheel
It’s hard to explain text, so this 1949 video would help you visualize it
In quartz watches they sometimes simulate it by activating the motor once a second, and sometimes you can hear the gear and motor activate.
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