How do you make a time piece?

Answer 1

In essence, a time piece is a device that counts the occurrence of a reference event, or that measures the magnitude of a reference signal.

Most modern clocks are counter-based clocks. Typical digital clocks count the number of pulses generated by an oscillating crystal, a traditional "analog" wrist watch or church tower clock counts the movement of a cog wheel, etc. Count the number of sun rises and you have a time piece (with a resolution of one day).

Clocks that work by comparing the magnitude of a reference signal include a sundial, where the angle of the shadow provides the reference. Ancient Greek or Roman time pieces included earthen vessels filled with water, which disappeared through tiny holes in the bottom. In those, the level of water inside the vessel is the reference signal's magnitude.