How did people refer to clockwise movement before the invention of the clock?
Was there an alternative adjective to "clockwise" other than "the rotation you take around left hand"?
Also, how did all watch companies around the world agree on what the direction of "clockwise" is?
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Cardinal directions as references instead of left/right are often a better option when describing locations, more people should use them. It's not like it's hard to get an idea of where north is - even if you're a bit challenged on the spatial awareness front basically everyone these days has a phone that will easily tell you this.
I think saying "keep turning the component to the west" wouldn't really work.
There are obviously exceptions, hence why I said often instead of always. Think larger scale and/or involving fixed objects and cardinal directions tend to be logical, for example:
Install the equipment in the western plant room.
Please set up the workstation near the power point on the western wall of the room.
Come in via Foo Rd, when you get to the intersection with Bar Rd turn west.
My desk is in the south western corner of the office.
Walk west along the ridge from the carpark, then once you reach the giant boulder take the northern spur down to the river.