Mechanical and electronic time measurement

We won't go back over the definition of the second and astronomical Time here (see [R 50] Fundamental metrological standards, in this treatise).

The present article first gives the basic notions of the general theory of oscillations; it then studies, in broad outline, and with reference to the bibliography :

• mechanical watchmaking, which retains a certain importance, with mechanical watches, in particular those with automatic winding by oscillating weight or photoelectricity, still enjoying a certain success, particularly for top-of-the-range items;

• electronic and electrical watchmaking ;

• time distribution, by synchronization or broadcast signals;

• quartz watchmaking, with a focus on the organization of quartz watches and micromotors; for information on piezoelectric quartz crystals, see [R 1 785] Time and frequency metrology, in this treatise.