This video will explain how to use your analog watch to find true north.
In order to do this correctly, you will need an analog watch that is set to the correct time but not daylight savings time. If you’re currently practicing daylight savings time, set the hour hand back one hour before you begin. A watch with a rotating bezel is particularly useful for this method. Furthermore, this method only works during the day while the sun is out. Finally, the approach is different if you are in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere.
If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, first locate the sun. Once you have determined where the sun is, take the watch off your wrist. Then, turn the watch so that the hour hand points towards the sun. Make sure the caseback is parallel to the ground when you do this to keep the watch face flat. Then, you will need to find the halfway point between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock marker. This method is also called bisecting, which is defined as dividing a space into two equal parts. Before noon, you will have to measure clockwise from the hour hand. Past noon, you will have to measure counterclockwise from the hour hand. This is where the rotating bezel comes in handy; you can rotate the bezel until the triangle marker sits at the halfway point. The halfway point between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock marker is south. Therefore, north is exactly opposite of it.
If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, first locate the sun. Once you have determined where the sun is, take the watch off your wrist. Then, turn the watch so that the 12 o’clock marker points towards the sun. Make sure the caseback is parallel to the ground when you do this to keep the watch face flat. Then, you will need to find the halfway point between the 12 o’clock marker and the hour hand. If you have a rotating bezel, turn it until the triangular marker sits at the halfway point. The halfway point between the 12 o’clock marker and the hour hand is north. And of course, south is exactly opposite of it.
