Time zone markings on a watch refer to the indications or notations on the watch’s dial, bezel, or other components that help the wearer determine or reference different time zones. These markings are particularly useful on watches with dual time or GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) functions, as well as world time watches. Here are some common types of time zone markings found on watches:
GMT Hand and 24-Hour Scale: Many dual time and GMT watches feature a dedicated GMT hand and a 24-hour scale on the dial or bezel. The 24-hour scale is marked from 1 to 24, representing a full 24-hour day. It is used in conjunction with the GMT hand to display the time in a second time zone. Some watches use different colors or additional markings to distinguish between daytime and nighttime hours.
Cities or Airports: World time watches often include city or airport codes around the dial or on a rotating bezel. Each code corresponds to a specific time zone or major city in the world. By aligning the desired city or code with a reference point on the watch, the wearer can quickly determine the time in that location.
Numerical Offsets: Some dual time or GMT watches use numerical offsets to indicate the time difference between the local time zone and the second time zone. For example, a watch may have a small numerical scale indicating “-2,” “-1,” “0,” “+1,” “+2,” etc., to represent the number of hours ahead or behind the local time.
Cities Ring: Some watches feature a separate ring or sub-dial that displays the names of cities or time zones around the edge of the watch face. A reference hand, often linked to the GMT hand, can point to the desired city or time zone for quick reference.
Rotating Bezel: On certain watches, particularly pilot’s watches, a rotating bezel with 24-hour markings can be used to track a second time zone. By aligning the bezel with the current GMT time, you can read the time in the second time zone by looking at the bezel markings.
Day/Night Indicator: In some GMT or world time watches, there’s a separate day/night indicator for the second time zone. It uses different colors or a sun/moon symbol to indicate whether it is daytime or nighttime in the referenced time zone.
24-Hour Sub-Dial: Instead of a GMT hand and a 24-hour scale on the main dial, some watches have a sub-dial that displays the time in a second time zone in a 24-hour format. This sub-dial often includes a separate hour and minute hand for the second time zone.
The choice of time zone markings and their design can vary significantly depending on the watch’s style and intended use. Watches with world time functions may have a more extensive list of cities or time zones, while simpler dual time watches may have fewer markings for ease of use. These features are essential for travelers, business professionals, and anyone who needs to keep track of time across different regions and time zones.