Why Are There 60 Seconds in a Minute?

The division of time into 60 seconds per minute, 60 minutes per hour and 24 hours per day seems completely natural to us today. However, this system is not based on arbitrary logic. It finds its origins in ancient civilizations that shaped our way of measuring time. How and why did we arrive at this very precise organization? Let's dive into this fascinating story together.

1. The first attempts to measure time

Long before the advent of modern watches, ancient civilizations were already trying to structure time by observing natural cycles. The Moon, with its regular phases of approximately 29.5 days, inspired the first lunar calendars. The Egyptians, around 3000 BC, thus defined the year in 12 months of 30 days, later supplemented by 5 additional days to reach a total of 365 days.

At the same time, they divided the day into 24 parts, 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night, probably in reference to the 12 lunar cycles of a year. However, these hours varied in length according to the seasons, as they were based on the length of day and night, which were still fluctuating at that time.

2. Why base 60 to measure time?

The explanation is based mainly on the advances of Babylonian astronomers, who used a numerical system based on 60 (sexagesimal). Why 60? Because this number is particularly practical: it is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, allowing precise fractions without complex calculations.

When they divided a circle into 360 degrees (a multiple of 60), this system became a reference for astronomical and geometric measurements. Clocks, which adopt a circular shape, naturally inherited this mathematical logic:

• A day being divided into 24 hours,

• Every hour in 60 minutes,

• Every minute in 60 seconds.

This division allowed for a fluid and precise measurement of time, facilitating calculations for astronomers, navigators and engineers of the time.

3. The evolution of time measurement tools

Over the centuries, the measurement of time has been refined thanks to technological advances. From sundials to the mechanical clocks of the Middle Ages, evolution has made it possible to stabilize these units of measurement. Today, the precision of time is based on ingenious mechanisms inherited from this long watchmaking tradition, the mechanisms of which can remain visible, particularly with your skeleton watch.

The final word

The organization of time in base 60 is therefore not the result of chance but of a need for mathematical efficiency and astronomical observation. Thanks to the Babylonians, the Egyptians and the Greeks, we now have a precise and universal system of measuring time. The next time you look at your watch, you might think of this fascinating journey through time that has shaped our daily lives.