Well, it's a mystery to me, which is why I'm asking ...
I seem to recall seeing a photo of some WW1 battleship or other which had what appeared to be a large forward-facing clock face high up on the superstructure, ahead of the forward lattice mast. Can't recall for sure if there were hands on the clock, but if there were, they were at 12 o'clock.
Am I imagining this? If not, what's that about then?