[Filligree]

> In the build environment, the current time is set to the epoch which removes that variability.

The amount of time per build can vary. Embedded timestamps will all be in January 1970, but even a single second difference means the binaries are no longer bit for bit identical -- and that assumes the embedded timestamp isn't microseconds.

[infogulch]

I think you're assuming that the timestamp only starts at the epoch and still advances in real time, which is not necessarily true.

[Filligree]

If it didn't advance, that would cause trouble for some build systems. So yes, I'm assuming it does.