What is the name of the century tick? - briefly
The designation for a one‑hundred‑year interval tick is “centurial tick”. It is often abbreviated as “century tick”.
What is the name of the century tick? - in detail
The designation for the tick that marks a one‑hundred‑year interval on a long‑duration timepiece is the centennial strike (sometimes called the century strike). It functions as a special audible or mechanical signal that occurs only when the clock’s count reaches a full century.
Key characteristics:
- Purpose – signals the completion of 100 years, distinguishing this moment from the regular hourly or minute ticks.
- Mechanism – typically driven by an additional gear train or cam that engages after the main counting wheel has turned through 100 cycles, releasing a dedicated hammer or bell.
- Audible cue – may consist of a deeper tone, a series of slower beats, or a distinct chime pattern to differentiate it from ordinary strikes.
- Historical usage – found in monumental clocks such as cathedral tower clocks, public municipal clocks, and some astronomical regulators designed to track long‑term cycles.
- Maintenance – requires periodic inspection of the centennial cam and its release lever, as the extended interval can lead to wear that is not apparent during routine hourly maintenance.
In summary, the term applied to the hundred‑year tick on a clock is the centennial strike, a specialized feature that provides a clear, recognizable indication of a full century passing.