How to use a Watch as a Compass
Northern Hemisphere
A surprisingly simple and easy way to use your watch as a compass only requires having enough sunlight to cast a shadow from a twig.
If you ever become lost, and do not have a compass, you can easily discover your direction by establishing a North-South line from your wrist watch. Here are the details…
In the Northern Hemishpere…
Align a twig (pointing up) at the edge of your watch so that it casts a shadow onto the face of the watch from the sun.
Then while holding the twig steady, rotate the watch until the twig’s shadow is cast directly onto the position of the hour hand.
In other words, you’re aligning the shadow with the hour hand (you’re pointing the hour hand in the direction of the sun).
Bisect the angle between the hour hand and 12-oclock. This halfway point between the hour hand and the 12-oclock position is your North-South line.
To determine which end of the line is north, remember this…
The sun rises in the east, and is in the east before noon.
The sun is due south at noon.
The sun sets in the west, and is in the west after noon.
Note: If your watch is set to daylight savings time, use the halfway point between the hour hand and 1 o’clock to determine the north-south line.
In the Southern Hemisphere
Align a twig (pointing up) at the edge of your watch so that it casts a shadow onto the face of the watch from the sun.
Then while holding the twig steady, rotate the watch until the twig’s shadow is cast directly onto the 12-oclock mark.
In other words, you’re aligning the shadow with the 12-oclock mark (you’re pointing the 12-oclock mark in the direction of the sun).
The halfway point between 12-oclock and the hour hand is your North-South line.
Southern Hemisphere
For the curious… the watch in the photo is a Luminox 1881.BO Blackout
Thanks for some good info. I always struggle with finding north. I have seen other tricks for finding north but this is less work and easier.
Put a stick in the ground put your left foot on the end of the shadow, wait 15 – 30 minutes put your right foot on the end of the shadow.. your now facing North..
Also explained in this article titled, “Maps and Direction”
Would this be with your back towards the stick or facing it?….ohhh, nevermind, it can only be done with your back to it….I think?
Memo to self: Lose the digital watch.
Not familiar with the watch in the picture. Does it require batteries or electronics?
Went with the Invicta 8926OB myself. $89 delivered on Amazon. Uses a Seiko 24 jewel movement. Oddly enough, the competing Seiko model uses a 21 jewel movement and costs twice as much.
Kind of an off thought or two. Maybe three. Most folks never live more than a hundred miles from where they were born. Look at the Sun, usually rises in the East. Any trees around? Moss on trees?
Of course you could just get a compass.
Really glad I found this information, thanks