24-hour watch

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A 24 hour watch made by Russian watchmaker Raketa note that the time shows 20:10 which, if on a 12-hour watch would show 8:10pm
24-hour chronograph by Hamilton

A 24-hour watch is a type of watch with an hour hand that completes a revolution every 24 hours. This type of watch is especially useful for aviators, astronauts, health care professionals, members of the military, or anyone who uses a 24-hour clock.

The face may be arranged in either of two ways: with noon at the top and midnight at the bottom, or else rotated 180° with midnight at the top and noon at the bottom (as pictured).

A 24-hour watch with multiple hour hands or a rotating bezel is particularly useful for displaying the time in multiple time zones. Rolex was asked to create what is considered to be the original version of this watch by Pan American Airlines in the 1950s, and as a result they made the Rolex GMT Master II.

A 24 hour watch with a compass card dial can be used to determine direction when set to local noon and used in conjunction with the sun (see Direction Finding Watch).

Many (but not all) current digital watches can be set to show the time in 24-hour format.

Notable 24-hour watch brands

See also

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