Hows the compass ring on my watch work?

Matt Shade

Matt Shade

Joined
Nov 24, 1999
Messages
4,981
Alright, I used to have a watch with one and it had some detailed directions on using the compass ring around the face of the watch.
I promptly broke the watch and the next one didn't have it.
The next one lasted so long that when I finally got a new watch this week, I forget how the ring works, and the new watch doesn't have directions.

Obviously, I can use the sun to get a general idea of direction. But it seems like there was a method to use the ring on the watch in conjunction with the sun to get a more accurate bearing.
Please tell me its not as simple as aligning the east/west with the sun depending on time of day and then looking at the watch :D Thats the only way I can see it working but it seemed to have been more involved when I read the directions:confused:
 
Also, this method looses accuracy the further West you get from the time zone borders. Or is it East?
 
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From the Collins Gem SAS Survival Guide:

Direction By Watch: A traditional analogue watch with two hands can tell direction, provided it is set to true local time (ignoring daylight saving and conventional time zones). The nearer the equator you are, the less accurate this method is.

IN NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: Hold watch horizontal. Point hour hand at sun. Bisect angle between hour hand and 12 mark to give north-south line.

IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: Hold watch horizontal. Point 12 at the sun. Mid-point between 12 and hour hand will give a north-south line.
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Remember, in the Northern hemisphere the sun will be south of you. Thus, South will be half-way between the hour hand pointing at the sun and the 12 mark on the watch.

My digital watch doesn't work worth a darn for this. ;) :D
 
That seems to make sense. Now if these daggone clouds would go away I could go outside and make sure:D
 
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