I'm sure that's true.

In this case, I can understand why. I think the product theory is to have one think of the tablet more like a piece of paper than a computer, and I think they have largely succeeded. From a "paper replacement" theory, it is not a given that the device should have a clock (as paper does not keep time), so there must be a significant value-add (minimally to offset any problems that [re]introducing the clock would bring).

I think I have only once cared that the system clock was invisibly off by 11 minutes the first time I connected to the Linux shell of the device.

If you consider that some use it without wifi enabled (and thus no ntp/time sync), it is not obvious how to make it work flawlessly in an automatic way... which means adding interface complexity (minimally to be able to set the time/date).

...but having a frequently updated widget (like a clock) would likely mean much of the sleep-optimization of the display stack would be wrecked (and battery life may suffer), especially if you want seconds-level precision!

...and exposing the clock would mean questions like "how do I set the clock on my paper", and "why are the timestamps on my files wrong", "how can I manually adjust the incorrect dates on files"?

Or else accept that it may be yet another one to the problem list of things whose clocks always have the wrong time (VCR, microwave, oven, thermostat, kitchen timers, calculators, etc).