Independent hour hand appreciation thread

[meyers]

I love the function of an independently moving hour hand! Being able to jump the hour hand forward or backward without disturbing the minute hand – it’s just so damn practical. I travel in and out of my home time zone quite often and as I get off the plane it's bink! quickly jump the hour hand and the local time is set. No messing around, no need to remember, was it 37 minutes past the hour? 38? 39? The minute hand doesn't move, meanwhile the GMT hand (as always) is set to home time for easy reference.

I sometimes have aspirations of picking up a 1675 for a daily, feeling like it would somehow represent an upgrade from the 16710, but it's the lack of jump hour function of the GMT-I that holds me back.

Quick-set date has its place, but long may the 16710 rule!

(P.s. it would be dope if this was a standard feature on every Rolex.)

[grymg]

I hear you, it certainly helps for daylight savings switches as well.
Having that feature also makes it a must to take my GMT on trips where I cross time zones.

One thing I do hate is that the quickset date is not present on the caliber. So if my watch dies for several days, I feel like I am turning the crown forever just the get the correct date again.

[JacksonStone]

Funny you should mention this, as I am gearing up for a cruise in a few months that will have me crossing several time zones, and I was just thinking it would be nice to have a watch with a jumping hour hand. Pity I don't still have my Seamaster 300; it had a jumping hour hand, and no date. Easiest setting watch I ever had.

[Andad]

The hour jump hand on the new models is ok for some I suppose but doesn’t help me and a billion others who have a half hour time difference.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by directioneng

The hour jump hand on the new models is ok for some I suppose but doesn’t help me and a billion others who have a half hour time difference.

That only reflects a change from your local timezone. But if you're traveling and have layovers or on a cruise then a jump hour hand still helps those billion immensely, most of those which don't even own a Rolex or care about this to begin with, by the way.
I'm pretty ocd about setting my watch to the second so I hack it exactly at 12 o'clock so because of this I usually don't bother with changing the time when traveling and wait until I'm home.

I really believe Rolex should give this feature to the Explorer. It is a prime candidate for this function as it is a travel adventure watch. Adventures mean moving a lot. The GMT 2 and Exp 2 understandably have the feature so with the Explorer being part of this family it would benefit greatly being a time only watch.

[whattimeyougot]

As a frequent traveller this feature is priceless. It's great knowing the accuracy is not being compromised when I adjust to local time due to seconds not being hacked. Is it a needed complication, no, but it's a very unique and convenient one I appreciate.

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Crown & Shield]

To me this feature could be very easy to implement on every no-date movement. I agree that the Explorer would be a prime candidate for a jumping hour setting.
On movements with date I understand that most people would prefer to quick-set the date.

[maxbelg]

I agree, it's a great feature and I don't mind at all that the date is not "quick-set" as a result. I'm very happy with my 126710BLRO but I'm not so sure I'd want it on my EX. When I travel I take the GMT and at "home" I don't need this feature.

[meyers]

Originally Posted by grymg

I hear you, it certainly helps for daylight savings switches as well.

Excellent point. Another two uses each year

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Funny you should mention this, as I am gearing up for a cruise in a few months that will have me crossing several time zones, and I was just thinking it would be nice to have a watch with a jumping hour hand. Pity I don't still have my Seamaster 300; it had a jumping hour hand, and no date. Easiest setting watch I ever had.

Hmm! I didn't know the Seamaster 300 had a jump hour function. Yeah this function would come in handy during a cruise, for sure! I'm sure you'll enjoy the holiday, regardless

Originally Posted by directioneng

The hour jump hand on the new models is ok for some I suppose but doesn’t help me and a billion others who have a half hour time difference.

Touché

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

I really believe Rolex should give this feature to the Explorer. It is a prime candidate for this function as it is a travel adventure watch. Adventures mean moving a lot.

Originally Posted by Crown & Shield

To me this feature could be very easy to implement on every no-date movement. I agree that the Explorer would be a prime candidate for a jumping hour setting.
On movements with date I understand that most people would prefer to quick-set the date.

To my point about every watch in the Rolex line having this function. Even on movements with a date - like the 16710 - the jump hour function is better IMO

Originally Posted by whattimeyougot

As a frequent traveller this feature is priceless. It's great knowing the accuracy is not being compromised when I adjust to local time due to seconds not being hacked. Is it a needed complication, no, but it's a very unique and convenient one I appreciate.

Well said

Originally Posted by maxbelg

I agree, it's a great feature and I don't mind at all that the date is not "quick-set" as a result.

Agreed. A quick twist of the crown and 24 hour jumps later, presto!

[markseattle]

I fly frequently and find it to be one of my favorite functions.


Mark

[jstan9]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Funny you should mention this, as I am gearing up for a cruise in a few months that will have me crossing several time zones, and I was just thinking it would be nice to have a watch with a jumping hour hand. Pity I don't still have my Seamaster 300; it had a jumping hour hand, and no date. Easiest setting watch I ever had.

We crossed from Southampton to New York last May and had five “25 hour days” out of the seven. The quick jump hour hand on my BLNR made these daily time changes a breeze, and a lot of fun. The GMT is amazing all around, but it’s a damned fine travel watch at heart.