Solar Compass in Explorer II and GMT ?

[profjohn]

Hi guys

I came across a Rolex advert in Reader's Digest some years back featuring an explorer who takes compass bearings with his GMT-Master II. It should also work on the Explorer II the caliber is the same.

In the northern hemisphere, it seems like pointing the 24hr hand in the direction of the sun will result in it pointing to the north (and south if in the southern hemisphere). Has anyone tried to see if it works in Singapore?

[triton]

In the northern hemisphere, it seems like pointing the 24hr hand in the direction of the sun will result in it pointing to the north (and south if in the southern hemisphere). Has anyone tried to see if it works in Singapore?

what does this it you referring to? the compass magnetic north?

[profjohn]

Yes that's right, the 24hr hand will point to the north

[keltzar]

see: http://www.londonwatchcompany.com/watches/GMtMaster.htm

The 1960’s brochure for the watch even included the following instructions for pilots on how to use the watch as an emergency compass. "In the Northern Hemisphere the Rolex GMT-Master may also be used as a compass. Simply point the hour hand towards the sun and automatically the red 24-hour hand will point to the North! Try it...! In the Southern Hemisphere it will point to the South."
--

I am assuming that the GMT hand has to be correctly set first... since many people have it set wrongly!

[profjohn]

Thanks for that, it works! That's one way to get a compass bearing. The 24 hr hand must be synchronised with local time.

The other way is to point the red 24 hr hand to the sun and the 12 o'clock position of the dial (where the Rolex crown is) will be the north.

It's a pity Rolex did not put these instructions in the Explorer and GMT user's booklet:

There's a good diagram and instructions right at the bottom of the page here:

http://fejack.net/misc/gmt24/gmt24.htm

[keltzar]

that's a good read.
now i understand my GMT better.

[rh1667]

Now i know...

Heng Ah...today got a lot of time, so dig out all the old thread to read....now learn another function for my GMTII.
Thank you

[DM101]

Thanks for that, it works! That's one way to get a compass bearing. The 24 hr hand must be synchronised with local time.

The other way is to point the red 24 hr hand to the sun and the 12 o'clock position of the dial (where the Rolex crown is) will be the north.

It's a pity Rolex did not put these instructions in the Explorer and GMT user's booklet:

There's a good diagram and instructions right at the bottom of the page here:

http://fejack.net/misc/gmt24/gmt24.htm

What if it's at noon? If U point 1200 hrs to the sun above, North will be is the ground?

[seiko.citizen]

no, it means that north is behind you

[rh1667]

Right...

because at 12 noon, the 24 hrs hand will be at 6 o'clock position

[fatt]

so can i say that
rolex explorer II also fall into this category
since it has a a gmt hand
it only shy of moving the bezel to tell a third zone time

[psee]

Thanks for that, it works! That's one way to get a compass bearing. The 24 hr hand must be synchronised with local time.

The other way is to point the red 24 hr hand to the sun and the 12 o'clock position of the dial (where the Rolex crown is) will be the north.

It's a pity Rolex did not put these instructions in the Explorer and GMT user's booklet:

There's a good diagram and instructions right at the bottom of the page here:

http://fejack.net/misc/gmt24/gmt24.htm

Great link! Thks for sharing

[DM101]

because at 12 noon, the 24 hrs hand will be at 6 o'clock position

12 o'clok point to sun above U @ noon, which means 24 hrs is pointing to the ground as North - then is not correct wat?

[ngohan8]

Think this can only be applied when the wearer is in the north pole...wondering, what will happen to a normal compass when its in northpole?