[noleary]

It is not exactly what you're looking for, but long ago I read this book about the invention of the naval chronometer:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitude_(book)

It's generally pretty well-regarded and closely related.

[wbl]

Revolution in Time is drier but still interesting and covers up past the quartz crisis starting from Babylon.

[sebastialonso]

Thanks a lot!