  In pregeometry a metric arises as a composite object at large distances. We
investigate if its signature, which distinguishes between time and space, could
be a result of the dynamics rather than being built in already in the
formulation of a model. For short distances we formulate our model as a
Yang-Mills theory with fermions and vector fields. For the local gauge symmetry
we take the non-compact group SO(4,\,$\mathbb{C}$). The particular
representation of the vector field permits us to implement diffeomorphism
invariant kinetic terms. Geometry and general relativity emerge at large
distances due to a spontaneous breaking of the gauge symmetry which induces
masses for the gauge bosons. The difference between time and space arises
directly from this spontaneous symmetry breaking. For a euclidean metric all
fields have a standard propagator at high momenta. Analytic continuation to a
Minkowski-metric is achieved by a change of field values. We conjecture that
this type of model could be consistent with unitarity and well behaved in the
short distance limit.
