In this demonstration, the reference time for both repeaters 10:12.

In the simulated sound-clip of a typical minute repeater, you will notice that the striking is based on quarters, therefore, 10:12 would be sounded as 10 ‘bong’-strikes, 0 ‘bing-bong’ strikes and 12 ‘bing’ strikes. ie, 10 hours, 0 quarters and 12 minutes = 10:12.

The striking of minute repeaters are undoubtedly remarkable feats of micro-engineering, but it is not how we intuitively read the time.

In Voutilainen’s system, being based on ten-minute intervales, 10:12 would be indicated by 10 ‘bong’-strikes, 1 ‘bing-bong’ strike and 2 ‘bing’ strikes.

One would notice how much easier it is to tell the time in the decimal repeater, especially if you’ve lost count of the number of minute strikes in the minute repeater!