. . but they long predate the metric system.

The biggest problem with 10 compared to 12 is 10 can only be divided evenly into halves fifths and tenths. Tenths are just too small for most off-hand human calculation and fifths aren't too convenient either - unless you're talking about bottles. 12 provides even halves, quarters and thirds.

When you get beyond human scale, either larger or smaller, 10 works well enough, thus the decimal inch we used in the aerospace industry. 1/1000 inch is a lot more convenient than the equivalent 1/20 mm too - metric sizes are all awkward.

Of course all this is beyond the comprehension of someone who's known only metric.