Navigation
Use an analog watch as a compass
In sun, an analog watch face gives you a rough bearing accurate enough to hold a straight line.
Step-by-step
Hold the watch flat, face up.
In the Northern Hemisphere, point the hour hand at the sun.
Bisect the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock — that midpoint line points south.
In the Southern Hemisphere, point 12 at the sun instead and bisect toward the hour hand — that midpoint points north.
Adjust one hour back during daylight saving time so the calculation uses solar time.
Tip: This is a rough method — accurate within 10–20° depending on latitude and season. Use it to hold direction, not to pinpoint locations.
Related outdoor skills
Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.