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Dual Time

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(doo-uhl tahym)

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Dual Time refers to a watch feature that allows the wearer to simultaneously track the time in two different time zones.

What does

Dual Time

mean?

Dual Time refers to a watch complication that allows the wearer to simultaneously track the time in two different time zones. This feature is particularly useful for travelers, business professionals, or anyone who needs to keep track of time in multiple locations. Typically, a Dual Time watch displays the local time using the main hour and minute hands, while a secondary time zone is indicated through an additional sub-dial or a separate set of hands.

The secondary time display can be adjusted independently, allowing the user to set it to any desired time zone. Some Dual Time watches also include a 24-hour indicator to distinguish between day and night in the second time zone, enhancing the functionality and usability of the watch.

This complication is often found in both analog and digital watches, with various designs and mechanisms to suit different preferences and styles. In analog watches, the secondary time zone is usually adjusted via the crown or an additional pusher, while digital watches may offer more straightforward adjustments through their interface. Dual Time watches are valued for their practicality and the convenience they offer to those who frequently communicate or travel across different time zones, making them a popular choice in the world of horology.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Dual Time and GMT?

Both track two time zones, but GMT watches use an additional hand on a 24-hour scale to show the second zone. Dual time watches typically use a separate subdial or set of hands. GMT hands are more elegant and readable at a glance, while dual time displays are often clearer for reading the exact hour in the second zone.

How do you set a second time zone on a dual time watch?

Most dual time watches set the second zone independently via the crown (in a different position) or a dedicated pusher. The secondary hands or subdial are adjusted separately from the main time. Some modern watches allow the hour hand of the secondary zone to jump forward or back in one-hour increments without stopping the movement.

Who benefits most from a dual time watch?

Frequent international travelers, businesspeople working across time zones, and those with family or colleagues abroad benefit most. A dual time watch allows instant reading of home time without calculation. For anyone regularly communicating across two time zones, it eliminates the mental math of constantly converting between zones.

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Close-up of a Himalayan Project wristwatch with a gray and pink dial and a fabric strap with a pink stripe.

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