How to know the time without a watch

Look For the Sun

One of the most straightforward methods of knowing the time is by looking at the sun’s position and its shadows. This approach, which is known as sundial, was the standard approach for tracking time for thousands of years before clocks were invented. When the sun is highest in the sky, it should be roughly mid-day. As the sun starts to set, it will get later in the day. You can also use a stick to cast a shadow, and the length of that shadow can help you gauge the time.

Listen to the Birds

Birds are among the most accurate indicators of time. In the early morning hours, birds chirp and make noise. However, as the day progresses, the birds stop chirping, signifying midday. As the evening approaches, the birds will begin to chirp once again, signifying that the evening is starting.

Observe the Sky

The color and appearance of the sky can also give a clue on what time it is. Usually, the sky is orange-red in the morning and evening and bluish during the day. This progression of colors occurs due to the Earth’s rotation and the sun’s position. In the morning, when the sun is rising, the sky will be red or orange. During the day, the sky will be a clear blue. As the sun sets, the sky turns orange or red again.

Pay Attention to the Temperature

Another way to gauge the time is by observing the temperature. The temperature usually fluctuates throughout the day, and you can use this information to make some guesses. In the morning, the temperature tends to be cooler than the afternoon. Around noon, the temperature usually reaches its peak, and after that, it starts to cool off.

Watch the Traffic

In urban areas, one can gauge the time by looking at the movement of traffic. Usually, the traffic is more hectic in the morning, around mid-day, and in the evening when people are heading to and from work. Thus, if you observe rush hour traffic, you can quickly tell if it is morning or evening.

Use Your Smartphone

Smartphones are ubiquitous these days, and they make it effortless for people to check the time. You can check the time on your smartphone by pressing the power button, or you can connect to the internet and set up precise time settings that allow your phone to automatically update its clock.

In conclusion, there are numerous ways to tell the time, even when you don’t have a clock or watch with you. From observing the sun to checking the temperature, one can easily gauge an approximate time of day by leveraging the natural environment around them. However, with smartphones being ubiquitous, it is now very effortless to know the exact time, even when you don’t have a timepiece around you.