A Timex GMT watch is designed for tracking multiple time zones simultaneously, making it a useful tool for travelers, international business, or anyone needing to monitor different locations. It typically utilizes its main hour, minute, and second hands for your local time, while a dedicated 24-hour GMT hand tracks a second time zone.
Understanding Your Timex GMT
Before using your watch, familiarize yourself with its key components:
- Main Hands: These are your standard hour, minute, and second hands, displaying your current local time (usually on a 12-hour scale).
- GMT Hand: This is a distinct fourth hand, often with an arrow tip, that rotates once every 24 hours, tracking a second time zone against a 24-hour scale on the dial or bezel.
- Crown: The knob on the side used for winding and setting the watch in different pulled-out positions.
Setting Your Timex GMT Watch
Setting your GMT watch involves adjusting both the local time hands and the 24-hour GMT hand using the crown. The functions controlled by the crown vary depending on how far it is pulled out.
Crown Position 2 (Pulled Out Two Clicks)
This position is typically used for setting the local time (the time displayed by the main hour and minute hands) and the date.
- Pull the crown out completely to the second click.
- Turn the crown to move the hour and minute hands forward or backward.
- As noted in the provided reference video when discussing setting the time, you'll see the date does flip with the hour and minute hands as you adjust them past midnight. Ensure you set the date correctly for the current day and the AM/PM cycle of your local time.
- Push the crown back in to position 0 once the local time and date are set correctly.
Crown Position 1 (Pulled Out One Click)
This intermediate position is usually for independently setting the GMT hand.
- Pull the crown out one click to the first position.
- Turning the crown in this position will typically move the 24-hour GMT hand independently of the main hands.
- Set the GMT hand to your desired reference time zone, often your home time or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is sometimes referred to as 'Zulu time'. Remember the GMT hand operates on a 24-hour scale.
Crown Position 0 (Pushed In)
This is the watch's resting position for winding (if it's an automatic or manual wind watch) and running.
- Once all settings are complete, ensure the crown is fully pushed in to this position to prevent moisture and dust from entering the watch and to allow it to run or be wound.
Using the GMT Function Daily
Once set, using your Timex GMT is straightforward:
- Your main hands show your local time at a glance.
- The GMT hand indicates the time in your chosen second time zone (e.g., home time or UTC) on the 24-hour scale. You read the hour using the position of the GMT hand against the 24-hour markings on the dial or internal bezel.
Practical Applications
The GMT function is invaluable in various situations:
- Travel: Easily see the time back home while in a different time zone.
- International Communication: Know the time in another country for scheduling calls or meetings.
- Professionals: Pilots, sailors, or researchers often use UTC (set on the GMT hand) for consistent global timekeeping.
| Crown Position | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Position 0 | Running & Winding | Pushed in, watch operates normally. |
| Position 1 | Setting GMT Hand (24-hour) | Pull out one click, adjusts 24-hour hand. |
| Position 2 | Setting Local Time & Date | Pull out two clicks, adjusts main hands. |
Using your Timex GMT watch effectively requires understanding its hands and crown positions. By setting the local time, date, and the GMT hand correctly, you gain the ability to effortlessly track two time zones simultaneously.
