Daylight Saving Time and Mechanical Clocks — A Love-Hate Relationship

Twice each year, most people casually change the time on a microwave or stove clock and carry on with life. Those of us who collect mechanical clocks, however, prepare for what can only be described as a seasonal endurance event.

Yes — Daylight Saving Time has arrived again.

For the general public, DST is a minor inconvenience. For a clock enthusiast, it is an expedition. Every mantel clock, wall clock, regulator, and stubborn little alarm clock must be persuaded — politely — to agree with the new official time. Some cooperate willingly. Others protest by striking eleven when it is clearly ten, or by refusing to strike at all until properly consulted.

The original idea behind Daylight Saving Time was admirable enough: shift the clocks to make better use of daylight and enjoy longer evenings outdoors. In practice, it often means losing an hour of sleep in March and spending the next week wondering why everything feels slightly out of rhythm.

Interestingly, a Canadian helped set this whole process in motion. Sir Sandford Fleming, engineer and champion of standardized time zones, gave the world a sensible system for telling time. One doubts he imagined future generations standing on step stools twice a year, carefully advancing minute hands while negotiating with century-old movements.

Today, about 70 countries still observe DST, while others — including Japan, India, and China — have wisely decided that time works perfectly well without seasonal tinkering. Here in Canada, in most parts, we continue the tradition, guided by the familiar phrase: “Spring ahead, fall behind.”

For mechanical clocks, the rule is simple: move the minute hand forward one hour and allow the clock to do the rest. Let the chimes play out naturally. Patience is essential. Mechanical clocks have survived world wars, house moves, and generations of owners — they will not be rushed simply because politicians have decided it is suddenly an hour later.

In my home, adjusting the clocks takes long enough that by the time I finish, at least one seems ready to be wound again. And without fail, a week later I will discover a lone clock quietly living in the previous time zone, proving once again that clocks, like people, resist change.

There is growing talk of abandoning Daylight Saving Time altogether. Many argue it is unnecessary in our modern world of automatic devices and artificial lighting. It is about as useful as a chocolate teapot! I suspect few would celebrate its disappearance more enthusiastically than those of us surrounded by ticking reminders of the past.

The push to abolish seasonal clock changes in Canada is slowly gaining momentum. Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick have all considered the issue, although none have yet passed binding legislation.

Recently (March 1, 2026), the province of British Columbia announced that it would change its clocks for the final time on March 8 and remain on daylight saving time year-round.

Ontario has already passed legislation making daylight saving time permanent, but the change will only take effect if neighbouring Quebec adopts the same approach.

At present, Saskatchewan (one of Canada’s western provinces) and Yukon (one of the northern territories) remain on standard time year-round and do not adjust their clocks twice a year.

Until that day arrives in Nova Scotia and those “affected” parts of the world, we will continue the ritual — key in hand, listening to the familiar chorus of strikes and chimes — adjusting not just our clocks, but ourselves, twice a year.

March 7, 2026 7

Daylight Saving Time: Why It’s Time To End This Unpopular Inconvenience

One of life’s unavoidable inconveniences is the act of adjusting our clocks either forward or backward in November and March. It is called Daylight Savings Time or DST. The goal of DST is to make better use of daylight by prolonging the amount of time we can spend outside during daylight hours.

The argument for the abolishment of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is gathering steam. It is cumbersome, and unnecessary in today’s world. Presently, out of 195 countries globally, approximately 70 utilize DST in some capacity, with notable exceptions being Japan, India, and China among major industrialized nations.

Around 1890, Sir Sandford Fleming, a Canadian engineer credited with significant railway projects and devising an internationally accepted standard time scheme, was instrumental in the early adoption of DST.

Currently, residents in these 70 countries, including Canada, must adhere to DST conventions, adjusting their clocks forward in spring and backward in autumn. In Canada, the saying “Spring ahead, Fall behind” helps in remembering the biannual time adjustments, occurring on the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November.

For mechanical clocks with analog dials, simply advance the minute hand by one hour on March 9th. If the clock has a chime or a mechanism with a countwheel strike, allow it to operate naturally at the quarter-hour or the half-hour.

Despite its widespread usage, there’s a growing movement in Canada to abandon DST, citing its impracticality and lack of necessity.

March 7, 2025 2

Set your clocks ahead this weekend

_{Arthur Pequegnat Brandon schoolhouse clock}

Those possessing mechanical clocks with analog dials, simply advance the minute hand by one hour. If the clock has a chime or strike mechanism, allow it to operate naturally at the quarter-hour or the half-hour.

Despite its widespread usage, there’s a growing movement in Canada to abandon DST, citing its impracticality and lack of necessity.

March 8, 2024

Three arguments for eliminating Daylight Savings Time

Here are three commonly cited reasons for eliminating the cursed Daylight Savings Time convention:

One of the main arguments against daylight saving time is its impact on human health. The abrupt shift in the clock can disrupt people’s sleep patterns, leading to sleep deprivation and increased stress. Studies have shown a rise in heart attacks, strokes, and even car accidents in the days following the time change. By eliminating DST, people would maintain a more consistent sleep schedule, promoting better overall health and well-being.

_{A made-in-Canada Pequegnat clock from the 1920s}

Critics argue that the practice of changing clocks twice a year imposes economic costs on businesses and individuals. The process of adjusting various devices, systems, and schedules can be time-consuming and costly. Moreover, the disrupted sleep patterns of employees can lead to decreased productivity in the workplace. By eliminating DST, businesses would avoid these costs and potentially see a boost in productivity due to a more rested workforce.

One of the original reasons for implementing daylight saving time was to conserve energy by making better use of natural daylight during the longer days of summer. However, with advancements in technology and changes in energy consumption patterns, the energy-saving argument is now considered outdated. Modern studies have shown that the energy savings from DST are marginal, if any, and in some cases, it might even lead to increased energy usage due to higher air conditioning demands on hot evenings. Therefore, proponents of eliminating DST argue that the energy conservation rationale no longer holds, making it unnecessary to continue the practice.

These arguments, among others, have fueled ongoing debates about the relevance and effectiveness of daylight saving time, leading to discussions and policy changes in various regions.

But not in Nova Scotia, Canada. Prepare to set your clocks backward on November 5th at 2:am.

November 3, 2023

Let’s end Daylight Savings Time

When Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins, we lose an hour. When it ends, we gain an hour. There are several reasons why some people advocate for ending daylight saving time (DST):

Disruption of sleep patterns:

Changing the clocks forward or backward by an hour can disrupt people’s sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and other health problems.

Safety concerns:

Studies have shown that there is an increase in traffic accidents and workplace injuries in the days following the time change. This is because people are more tired and less alert than usual.

Economic costs:

There are costs associated with changing clocks in devices and systems, such as transportation schedules and software. Additionally, there may be decreased productivity due to the disruption of sleep patterns.

Limited energy savings:

While DST was originally implemented as a way to save energy, studies have shown that the energy savings are minimal and may not be worth the disruption to people’s lives.

International coordination:

Not all countries observe DST, and those that do often have different start and end dates. This can cause confusion and difficulties in coordinating international travel, commerce, and communication.

Overall, ending DST could provide benefits for public health, safety, and economic efficiency.

In Canada?

Some provinces in Canada have been waiting to ditch the seasonal change but have cited a consistency with the US as a reason for the delay. The time change consistency is vital so as to align trading between the two countries. US bills have repeatedly failed to pass but once all the US states enact their own changes the federal go-ahead is the next step.

Yukon and most of Saskatchewan keep their clocks the same year-round. Yukon made the switch for the last time in March 2020, and standard time is now permanent.

DST is a relic of our past. Let’s just put it out of its misery.

March 11, 2023

Daylight Savings Time – time to say goodbye to the Dark Ages

Daylight Savings Time in Canada begins on March 13th and ends on Nov. 6, 2022.

But, do we really need it! Daylight Savings Time has no place in our modern world. Of 195 countries in the world, approximately 70 countries observe Daylight Saving Time in at least a portion of the country. Japan, India, and China are the only major industrialized countries that do not observe any form of daylight saving.

At 2:00am Sunday, set your clocks behind one hour if you live in an area where the convention is still followed.

Regions that typically use daylight saving time adjust clocks forward one hour close to the start of spring and adjust them backward in the autumn to standard time.

In Canada, we have a little aide-memoire, “Spring ahead, Fall behind” to make it easy to remember what to do twice a year. In Canada, it is the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November.

How to safely adjust your mechanical clock(s)

The simplest and safest method is to stop the clock and wait for the correct time, then, restart it,
Move the minute hand slowly clockwise to the correct time, stopping briefly for the quarter-hour on chiming clocks and the half-hour for striking clocks. If you have a movement with a rack and snail you can move the minute hand quickly through the hours as rack and snail movements are auto-correcting.
Do not move the minute hand backward unless the instructions that come with the clock specifically say that it is safe to do so otherwise, damage to the movement will result. As a general rule, I always advocate moving the hands of any clock forward.

This time change convention is a scourge, it is very wasteful and unnecessary in our modern world.

November 4, 2022

Seasonal changes in DST may be a thing of the past

On March 15, 2022 British Columbia (Canada) announced that the province is ready to spring forward with permanent daylight savings time (DST) as soon as the United States signs off on national legislation.

Now approved by the senate the U.S. House of Representatives must take the time to review the bill. If it passes, the expectation is Washington, Oregon and California will move to permanent daylight time. The change would not take effect until 2023.

The argument to keep daylight time permanently is that it would increase light at the end of the day and is already observed eight months of the year.

On Tuesday, in a statement, B.C.’s Premier said British Columbians told them loud and clear in a public consultation last year they want to stop falling back and springing forward each year.

Should BC abandon DST it will not take long for the other 9 provinces and 3 territories (Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon) to fall in line.

This is great news. I have advocated scrapping this silly DST thing for years. First used in 1908, in Thunder Bay, Ontario it spread throughout the world to 70 countries and affects 1 billion people every year, so, time’s up!

And to all the disappointed farmers out there who supposedly support DST and will miss it, it’s time to choose another field!!

April 12, 2022

Daylight savings time – a scourge on us all

One week before the time change in Canada there were many reports of people waking up late because their phone switched to Eastern time – Quebec and Ontario, so if your phone told you it was 5am, it was really 6am. Bell Canada blamed this on a software glitch but it is a further reminder of how unnecessary the time change is to us all. What a frustrating experience to all those Bell customers who use their phones as an alarm clock.

Albertans were given a chance to decide in October 2021. The question posed to them was:

Do you want Alberta to adopt year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is summer hours, eliminating the need to change our clocks twice a year?

Electors could vote “yes” or “no” on the question.

The Chief Electoral Officer announced the following results for the referendum:

“Yes” – 531,782 votes, representing 49.8% of valid ballots cast
“No” – 536,874 votes, representing 50.2% of valid ballots cast

No change for Albertans! Most affected in Alberta would be those living in the far north. Sunrise could be as late as 10am. But, no matter, they said “no”!

Daylight Savings Time has no place in our modern world. Of 195 countries in the world, approximately 70 countries observe Daylight Saving Time in at least a portion of the country. Japan, India, and China are the only major industrialized countries that do not observe any form of daylight saving.

Top showing face and crown detail — *Vienna Regulator clock C.1870*

70 countries must live with it.

Clock face showing moon dial — *Ridgeway grandfather clock C.1996*

At 2:00am Sunday, set your clocks ahead one hour if you live in an area where the convention is still followed.

Regions that typically use daylight saving time adjust clocks forward one hour close to the start of spring and adjust them backward in the autumn to standard time.

Case is in fair condition, dial face has some flaking — *Canada Clock Co. cottage clock C.1883*

How to set your mechanical clock(s)

Stop the clock and wait for the correct time, then, restart.
Move the minute hand slowly clockwise to the correct time, stopping briefly for the quarter-hour on chiming clocks and the half-hour for striking clocks. If you have a movement with a rack and snail you can move the minute hand quickly through the hours.
Do not move the minute hand backward unless the instructions that come with the clock specifically say that it is safe to do so. Otherwise damage to the movement will result.

Time change is a scourge, it is very wasteful and unnecessary in our modern world.

November 6, 2021

Daylight savings Time – let’s end this nonsense

Daylight savings Time; let’s follow the province of British Columbia’s (BC) lead and get rid of DST.

In the meantime set your clocks back one hour if still you live in an area where the convention is still followed.

Typically, regions that use daylight saving time adjust clocks forward one hour close to the start of spring and adjust them backward in the autumn to standard time. In Canada we have a little expression, “Spring ahead, Fall behind” to make it easy to remember what to do twice a year. In Canada, it is the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November.

As mentioned there has been a push to scrap the time-switch in Canada. British Columbia (western-most province of Canada) petitioned to end daylight saving time in the province back in 2015. Tens of thousands supported the move to end daylight-savings time.

Continue reading “Daylight savings Time – let’s end this nonsense” →

November 2, 2019

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