How To Use a Watch as a Compass

Did you know that you can use a regular watch as a compass? Check it out!

I’ve never had the best sense of direction. One time, in high school, a friend and I got lost driving on the freeway. He suggested I just keep following the sun because it was setting, 

and it, therefore, would take us west towards our town. We did find our way home using this method, and his strategy felt like a cool party trick.

I also learned the importance of cardinal directions. No matter how remote you are, you’re never truly lost if you can at least figure out your cardinal directions. And that’s something you can do with your wristwatch.

Today, I’m going to show you how to use your wristwatch as a compass. Real-life survival aside, it can also be a pretty cool party trick.

How To Use a Wrist Watch as a Compass

Using your watch as a compass is an age-old method. In fact, it’s in the US Army Ranger handbook. 

Many watches even have a compass bezel specifically for directions.

However, you’ll “compass-ify” your watch differently if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere compared to the Southern one. Since something like 90% of people live north of the equator, let’s start there.

Using Your Watch as a Compass: Northern Hemisphere

The first thing you’ll do is locate the sun. Now, find a place where you have a clear view of it.

Next, you’ll take off your wristwatch. Hold the case in your hand, with the 12 o’clock index pointing at the left.

Now, move your watch so that the hour hand is facing towards the direction of the sun.

In the morning, that is, anytime before 12 pm, True South will be in the midpoint between the 12 marker and the hour hand, clockwise from the hour hand. If it’s after 12 pm, True South will be in the midpoint but counterclockwise from the hour hand.

So, if it’s the morning and your hour hand is pointing at or around the 5 o’clock index, True South will be in between eight and seven. If it’s after 12 pm, it’ll be between two and three.

Check out this short video featuring filmmaker and outdoorsman “Survivorman”, Les Stroud, using his watch to find which direction is North in a survival scenario. 

Using Your Watch as a Compass: Southern Hemisphere

So, do you happen to be in Buenos Aires or Lima, or perhaps you’re in Melbourne or Sydney — here are some great Australian watch brands, by the way.

When in the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll basically do the complete opposite of what you do in the Northern Hemisphere.

That is, to get an indication of directions, you’ll point the 12 o’clock index towards the sun.

Again, take off your wristwatch. Hold it horizontally. Point the 12 markers towards the sun.

Now, True North will be in between the 12 and the hour hand.

FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions regarding using your watch as a compass (including a quick wrap-up of everything we just learned).

How Do You Use a Watch Like a Compass?

You can use a watch like a compass if you take it off and hold it horizontally with the 12-pointing left. In the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll move the hour hand toward the sun. The midpoint between the 12 and the hour hand is South. 

If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, point the 12 towards the sun, and the midpoint is North.

How Accurate Is Using a Watch as a Compass?

Using a watch as a compass is an approximation. Of course, it’s not as good as advanced technology or a real compass, but it’s better than nothing!

What Is a Compass Dial on a Watch?

Compass watch bezels, often used on outdoor and adventurer watches, have the cardinal directions marked on them. That means there are N, S, E, and W indicators on them.

Conclusion: Some Things To Keep in Mind

Of course, this method only works during the daytime since it’s reliant on the sun. 

Even more, if it’s daylight savings time, you’ll have to move the hour hand back an hour. Daylight savings have more to do with our relationship to sunlight versus where it actually is in rotation, directionally.

You can also always use the one o’clock marker in place of the 12.

And finally, keep in mind that this is an approximation. It isn’t exact, but it’s a good starting point!

What other cool watch “tricks” should we feature on The Slender Wrist? Let me know in the comments!