What is the possible foreshadowing of Chapter 5 in The Marrow Thieves?

In Chapter Five, the group splits up to hunt, planning to meet back up at a specific time. They use watches to keep track of the hour, but Miig says that one day they will find someone who can teach them to tell time without being dependent on watches. This foreshadows their eventual meeting with their people... that they will make it North and find them.