Analog Watches
The dividing line may not be laser sharp, but there are traditionalists who prefer an analog watch and moderns who go for digital. Opinions on which is superior get heated, but peaceful coexistence can be gained by recognizing the benefits of both.
For centuries there were no 'analog' timepieces, only clocks and (later) watches. The word was born when digital (usually electronic) watches came into being. In analogy to the movement of the sun, and the movement of a shadow across a sundial, analog timepieces move hands around the face of a watch. The most common style sweeps the hour hand 360 degrees around the face twice per day, its position indicating the time in twelve increments.
But, there are interesting variations, such as the 24-hour analog watch. In these unusual designs, the hour hand rotates around the face only once every 24 hours, hence the name. Like all watches, they come in a hundred different individual styles and they have several advantages.
Not only do the hour and minute hands indicate the current time, but the wearer has a visual representation of the day at a glance. You can see, for example, the equivalence between 6:15 and a quarter past the hour, since the minute hand is in fact a quarter of the way around the circle. When the hour hand is a quarter of the way, you are a quarter of the way through one day.
With 24 hour watches there are additional benefits to an analog type. There's no ambiguity about am vs pm. That may be an elementary problem for most people, most of the time. But submariners, computer staff, mine workers, bank vault clerks and many other professions often don't see the outside for hours or days on end. It's helpful to know whether it's day or night when you can't look out a window.
One of the most stylish examples is the famed Glycine Airman watch. This multi-function 24-hour analog watch tells not only the time, but also has dials for time zone adjustments. The face is elegant, practical and classic.
Another interesting variation on 24-hour analog watches are the Jump Hour types. These too come in a dozen different types, but all have the feature of jumping from one hour to the next, with no increment in between. Some indicate the minutes, but many do not.
Jump Hour types come in 12-hour styles as well. A 12-hour Jump Hour watch shows the same instantaneous change from one hour to the next, but with a 12-hour face. One stylish design from J'Street covers the lower half of the face and cleverly sweeps out two 12-hour cycles per day along a pink and gold face.
But whatever the type, analog watches have one aspect that all who prefer them treasure: style. There are thousands of variations of analog watch designs, with a very large number showing the elegance of timeless style. That's a pretty good reason to wear a watch in a world surrounded by digital timekeeping devices.