After the last article was published, the private messages in the purewatches background exploded. Many friends came to ask: How to use the red and blue circle? How to adjust the GMT needle correctly? What is the practical effect of turning the outer ring? To be honest, these questions are on point. Many people have worn GMT-Master watches for several years, but the outer ring has never turned, and the GMT needle is just sitting around looking at it. They have no idea what this watch can do.
In today’s article, purewatches uses the most straightforward vernacular to break down the practical functions of the cola ring and explain it clearly. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced player who has been wearing it for several years and still hasn’t figured it out, after reading this article, I guarantee that you will thoroughly understand the functions of this watch.
1. First understand this needle: What exactly does the GMT needle do?
The core feature of the Greenwich series is the addition of one more needle – the GMT needle. On the Coke ring, this needle is usually a red triangular arrow pointing to the 24-hour scale on the outer ring. Its purpose is simple: to let you know the time in two places at the same time.
To give a practical example, you are currently in Beijing, but your girlfriend is on a business trip in New York. You want to know what time it is in New York, but you don’t want to add or subtract the time difference in your head every time. This is where the GMT needle comes in handy.
Setup steps:
- First, loosen the crown and pull it to the first position (the one for adjusting the calendar).
- Adjust to the date in your location
- Pull the crown to the second position (stop the seconds)
- Turn the crown to adjust the hour and minute hands and the GMT hand to the current time.
- Remember the outer scale where the GMT needle points, that is your “home time”
This operation logic is easily confused by many people. In fact, you can remember it in one sentence: the hour and minute hands show the time at your current location, and the GMT hand shows the time at the place you are thinking about.
2. How to use the red and blue outer ring?
The most recognizable Coke ring is the red and blue two-color ceramic ring. But to be honest, eight out of ten people don’t know how this circle can be rotated and what it is used for. This outer ring is officially called “bidirectional rotating 24-hour scale outer ring”. Remember, it is two-way and can turn in both directions, unlike the outer ring of the water ghost which can only turn in one direction.
Two practical functions of the outer ring:
Function 1: Use the GMT needle to see the third time zone
As mentioned earlier, the GMT hand can read the second time zone. So what if I need to know the time in a third place? That’s what the outer ring is for.
Assume your GMT hand is set to New York time (GMT-4). Now if you want to know London time (GMT+0), you don’t need to readjust the needle, just turn the outer ring:
- London is 4 hours ahead of New York
- Turn the outer ring 4 scales counterclockwise
- Now the GMT needle points to the scale on the outer ring, which is London time
This feature is especially useful for people who frequently travel across time zones. You only need to set a home time, and the time in any other time zone can be read by turning the outer ring.
Function 2: Use as a simple timer
If you don’t need to see the third time zone, the outer ring can be used as a timer.
For example, if you want to park for two hours, turn the triangular arrow on the outer ring to the current minute hand position. When the minute hand reaches the scale on the outer ring, the time is up. It’s that simple.
3. Teach you step by step how to adjust the GMT needle: you won’t go wrong if you follow it
Many watch friends tend to make a mistake when adjusting the GMT hand: they directly adjust the hour and minute hands and the GMT hand to the same time, and then come to ask why it is wrong.
purewatches gives you the simplest operation process. Follow it and you will not go wrong:
Step 1: Determine your reference time
First think about which needle you want to use to show the time in which place. My habit is:
- The hour and minute hands show the time at your current location
- The GMT hand shows the time in your hometown or place you frequently communicate with.
Step 2: First adjust the GMT needle individually
- Unscrew the crown and move it to the first position
- Turn the crown and adjust the GMT hand to the reference time you want.
- Note that the GMT needle moves once in 24 hours, so when adjusting it, you need to distinguish whether it is in the morning or in the afternoon.
Step 3: Adjust the hour and minute hands again
- Pull the crown to second position
- Turn the crown to adjust the hour and minute hands to the current location
- Observe when adjusting. If the GMT needle is biased, fine-tune it.
Step 4: Check if it is correct
After the adjustment, look at two places:
- The hour and minute hands should be pointing to your current local time.
- The GMT needle pointing to the scale on the outer ring, plus the reading on the outer ring, should be equal to the time at the place you set.
- If not, repeat steps 2 and 3
4. Several common questions, explained clearly at once
Q: What should I do if the GMT hand and minute hand overlap?
normal phenomenon. The GMT hand rotates once every 24 hours and the minute hand rotates once an hour, and they often overlap. It’s not a malfunction, don’t panic.
Q: Is it normal for the calendar to jump slowly?
The cola ring of the VS factory uses the 3285 movement, and the calendar is instantaneous. But be aware that the GMT needle and the calendar are linked. If you mess up the GMT needle, the calendar’s jump time may shift. Just recalibrate it at this time.
Q: The outer ring is a little tight when turning. Is there a problem?
No. The damping design of the bidirectional rotating outer ring is inherently tight to prevent accidental rotation during daily wear. The damping feel of this model from VS Factory is actually quite comfortable, with a sense of passage but not harshness.
Q: What should I do if the GMT needle is crooked?
First check whether it is a problem with your viewing angle. The GMT hand, hour hand, and minute hand are stacked in three layers, and there will be visual misalignment when viewed from different angles. If it is indeed crooked, it may be an installation problem and you need to find a professional to adjust it.
write at the end
The Greenwich watch was originally designed to serve pilots flying across time zones. Every function of it is not just a decoration. The outer ring can be rotated and the GMT needle can be adjusted. They all have practical uses.
But to be honest, many people now wear this watch because of the appearance of the red and blue circle, and the functions are basically idle. There is nothing wrong with this. A watch is an accessory first, and what you like is the most important. But since you’ve spent the money, it doesn’t hurt to understand its functions. Maybe one day you go on a business trip or go abroad, this “inconspicuous” red and blue circle will come in handy.
(Note: This article is based on the physical test of VS factory and is for reference only.)