How do you tell directions from your watch and the sun?

Using your wrist watch you can find north within about 10 or 15 degrees. It's real easy...

Step 2

You need a watch that has hands on it. A digital watch won't work here.

Step 3

To find north using your watch, you will only be concerned with the hour hand and the number 12 (or the 1 if it is daylight savings time in your area) on the watch. Disregard the minute hand.

Step 4

There are a couple basic rules to follow....

Step 5

If it is MORNING (AM), wait for the sun to rise. Point the hour hand of the watch in the direction of the sun (keeping your watch level to the ground) ....

Step 6

Split the difference between the 12 and the hour hand on the LEFT side of the watch. (If you area is experiencing daylight savings time, split the difference between the 1 and the hour hand) ....

Step 7

Here's an example of using the 12 and the hour hand. Say it is 8:00 am. Point the hour hand in the direction of the sun (keep the watch level). Splitting the difference between the hour hand (8) and the number 12, you'll find that north is in the direction of the 10. (See the thin black line on the photo. This is pointing north. Also notice the time on the watch shown is actually a little before 8:00 pm. That's fine, concentrate ALWAYS on the hour hand :-)

Step 8

If it is in the AFTERNOON, the rules change and you want to use the RIGHT side of the watch. Say around 4:00 pm for example, you want to split the difference between the number 12 and the 4. Notice the thin black line in the photo goes to the right side of the watch. North would be in the direction of the 2. (Also notice the time on the watch is actually a little after 4:00 pm. That's fine, concentrate ALWAYS on where the hour hand is ;-)

Step 9

Third rule.. if it is EARLY EVENING, split the difference between the hour hand and the 12 using the RIGHT side of the watch (like the 'afternoon' rule)...

Step 10

For example at 8:00 pm EARLY EVENING, split the difference between the 8 and the 12 and north will be in the direction of the 4. Notice the thin black line points toward the 4. (Notice the time on the watch is actually a little before 8:00 pm. That's fine, concentrate ALWAYS on the hour hand, disregard the minute hand :-)

Step 11

Keep in mind that if you area is experiencing daylight savings time split the difference between the hour hand and 1 on your watch using the rules above.