Hello all. I’ve always been a digital clock user, but I am trying to get myself used to reading an analog watch.

For the most part it’s fine, taking me several extra seconds over digital so far.

But one thing I am struggling with is discerning the exact minute. Because the minute hand slowly moves over time as opposed to ticking, I have trouble telling whether or not it’s say…9:22 or 9:23 for example.

Because when the time is say…9:22 and 5 seconds, the hand will clearly be on the 9:22 mark. But when it’s 9:22 and 45 seconds, it looks like it’s actually 9:23 when it isn’t yet.

Is this just always a limitation that I’m stuck with using analog? How precise are you all with analog clocks? Is there a way I can more quickly determine the exact minute?

Thanks!

  • DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    3·
    10 hours ago

    Its six – five = (approx) 06:25:00 (notice minute hand is pointing at 5)

    its seven – eight’n’half = (approx) 08:42:05 (minute hand pointing between 8 and 9)

    I just do quick maths, I have multiplication table memorized from all the way to 9, since first grade.

    They literally make a “poem” on multiplication table in mainland China where I was from (all the way to 9x9, but multiples of 10 is obvious so they ommitted it, afiak).

    So my thought process is:
    一五的五 (1, 5 = 5)
    二五一十 (2, 5, 10)
    三五十五 (3, 5, 15)
    四五二十 (4, 5, 20)
    五五二十五 (5, 5, 25)
    五六三十 (5, 6, 30)
    五七三十五 (5, 7, 35)
    五八四十 (5, 8, 40)
    五九四十五 (5, 9, 45)
    (this is the point where my thoughts switch away from mandarin and just thinking pure numbers)
    5 x 10 = 50
    5 x 11 = 55
    5 x 12 = wait… no need, its just 0 mins again

    So yea just remember how to recall the “poem” out of thin air and summon the numbers, takes about like 1-2 seconds, mandarin being 1 sylable per charater make it easier to remember (七七四十九 – 5 sylables vs “Seven times seven is fourty nine” – 9 sylables). Sorry I don’t know how everyone else do multiplication tables, my brain works differently, but funny thing is, 11x11 to 14x14 really messed with my brain since it only goes to 9x9

    (Yes I typed all that just to show off how they literally crammed a weird entire multiplication “poem” in my head that’s still stuck in my head to this day when I’m no longer in the country lolz. Sorry for the boring wall of text xD)

    Edit: typos