Learning to tell the time using an analog face, with no numbers or markers.

[delsoul]

Let’s not be tough on them. I recently wrote a paragraph in cursive and the person asked me what language I wrote because they didn’t know I knew a second language…blame the schools for not teaching analog clock reading. Our job as elders is to teach them and fill in the gaps that are missing.

Depending on the clock, there will be tiny dash marks in between the big numbers. 1 / / / 5 / / / / 10….and so forth. Depending the arm that’s on it, gives it a different reading. The small arm is the hours. So whatever one that is on, that’s the easiest because it only changes numbers once an hour. The longer fat arm is for minutes. It’ll go around the entirety of the clock once an hour. The longer thin arm is for seconds and will go around the clocks entirety once per
Minute.

This will work for the US and many other locales, but it’s important to note that there’s some analogue clocks out there on a 24 hour number system (I’ve seen these in japan). They’ll show 24 numbers posted instead of 12. It’ll be the same idea, just different numbering layout.


In regards to your question about the missing numbers, just remember that it’s in quarters and 90 degree angles. 12, 3, 6, 9, and 12….you have 2 numbers each in between them. So cut each quarter into two more parts and that’ll make it easy to figure out where your “1,2….4,5…7,8…10,11” goes…you’ve got this, just takes some practice!

 

[Bandoholic]

When I was younger, no problems, telling the time, but with older eyes numbers are necessary. One feature I like on the watch is touching the face with two fingers and having the time spoken out to you.

 

[MisterSavage]

When I was younger, no problems, telling the time, but with older eyes numbers are necessary. One feature I like on the watch is touching the face with two fingers and having the time spoken out to you.

I have that set to have the watch use haptics to report the time. Perfect for steathily checking the time during a meeting.

 

[Beachmusic18]

One test for dementia, early or otherwise, has you draw a clock face showing a certain time. You guys all need to start practicing. I just flunked it. I’m 81. Got a Rolex in 1983 which had no numerals, a digital Fitbit replaced that around 2010, then Apple Watch series 4-9, and from there on out, I’ve been looking at an Infograph face, also no numbers. Glancing at my watch, I know exactly what time it is without thinking. So when a piece of paper was slapped down in front of me at the Minute Clinic where I was for bronchitis, and I was asked to draw a clock face showing 11:10 I drew a lovely circle, then very carefully drew in the little hour hand (complete with little arrows at the end) so it was just past where the 11 would be on an analog clock, and then the longer minute hand exactly where the 2 would be be, and gave it back to her. Her comment was, well, I guess you are OK anyway as you knew all the meds you’ve taken going back to when you started using CVS. So…study up people!

PS…if you don’t include the numbers inside the little circle you draw, you’ve failed. 🤣 Personally I think they need to change the test. Now I’m practicing drawing a cool Rolex, complete with the little crown where the 12 would be, the tiny window for the date where the 3 would be, and tiny diamonds for numerals, add the bezel too. Haha. PS. My favorite clock face is always the one in my avatar

 

[NUFC2025]

I am new to Apple Watches so which face has just the hour and minutes hands.

Thanks