Why All Clocks And Watches Kept At 10:10 Time On Display

If you are like me, you have probably wondered why all clocks and watches keep time at 10:10 a.m. Why is it not 11:10 or 12:10?

Speculation 1: Aesthetics

Perhaps the most common speculation is that it is aesthetically pleasing. However, given the symmetry of a dial where every number is identical, the aesthetics would be just as pleasing for any other time (e.g., 11:10 or 12:10).

Speculation 2: Easier to read

A second possibility has been suggested by an architect in Sweden who worked with the architect who built Stockholm’s city hall building. He claims that numbers on clocks and watches were historically numbered from 1 to 12 because of how easy they are to read when grouped like this. This may be the case, but once again, it would be easier to read a dial were all of the numbers in each group were identical.

Speculation 3: Uniformity

Perhaps the best explanation is uniformity. Clocks and watches are used to tell time, but historically they have also served as a means to show wealth and status. For centuries, the rich and powerful wanted to display their status by displaying the latest technology: clocks and watches that kept accurate time. And while many such clocks and watches kept time at 10:10 a.m., some displayed other times such as 10:11 a.m., 10:15 a.m., or 10:17 a.m.. Why?
Well, you may ask, why not 11:10 or 12:10? But, as noted above, this would make the time display less uniform. But while such displays might please a wealthy and powerful gentleman, the average person would wonder why these watches and clocks are not synchronized to the normal time. They would probably be confused by a 10:10 clock kept in 10:11 or 12:11 time.
However, it is understandable that someone with money to spare might possess several different watches and/or clocks for various purposes such as business meetings, entertainment and the like. This would also include formal occasions like weddings when they would only want one watch to be accurate.
In summary, the uniformity factor is the most likely explanation for why all clocks and watches have been set at 10:10 a.m.

Speculation 4: Victory

The clock’s hands are similar to the letter “v” used to symbolize victory.
In 1945, after German troops had surrendered in Italy, a clock on Piazza San Marco was arranged to show 10:10 as a sign of victory against fascism. This theory is plausible for explaining clocks and watches kept on public display since these were often seen as statements and showpieces designed to show power. However, this may be less likely regarding the average person’s watch or clock given that few Germans actually saw these watches or clocks on a regular basis.

Speculation 5: Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln died at precisely 10:10 p.m. on April 15, 1865. Some claim that clocks and watches displayed the time at 10:10 as a symbol that he was the “great emancipator” who freed African slaves in America. However, considering the time of his death at the end of the Civil War, it is hard to believe that such a common display came out of this tragedy.

Speculation 6: Hiroshima and Nagasaki Attack

Few would say that the time is because of the first atomic bomb being used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is also in remembrance of all the victims, as a memorial to those who were killed or otherwise affected by the bombing.

Speculation 7: Connection to the Illuminati

Some believe that 10:10 is occult and satanic number, with the horns coming from ancient Egyptian sun worship. With clocks set at 10:10, people are subconsciously reminded of this connection. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, considering that most timepieces today are digital and there are no obvious “horns” associated with these displays, it seems unlikely that such a connection would be made.

Speculation 8: First Watch

The first watch was invented in about 300 BC. It is logical to assume that the time would be set at 10:10 in reference to this invention, and not some other time. This maybe true or maybe not true.

Still we don’t know the reason why most watches and clocks show 10:10 time. There are a lot of theories but we can’t know for sure. Some things will always remain a mystery. We all love mysteries but will love more to know the truth.