every apartment i've rented in the last 20 years has had a thermostat with some kind of clock and program capability. never used any of it, but I don't think they are rare

Interesting, mind if I ask where you are? None of the ~6 apartments I've rented had anything beyond a temperature setpoint.

Until recently, most of the thermostats I've seen in newish buildings (in US northeast) since I've been aware of thermostats (1995?) have been digital with clocks and timers.

Older buildings have had the electromechanical thermostats you describe.