Have you noticed that watches on advertisements or displays are always set at 10:10? Have you wondered why this is the case, always?
Are you in the market looking for the latest watch model? Are you are looking for a watch online on several trustworthy websites?
In that instance, have you ever noticed a common thing among the watches on the display; and even in the product pictures on the website? Apparently, all watches show 10:10 on the display. And this observation totally depends on what your level is as a watch nerd. However, if you have noticed it recently, and you are curious to find the reason behind why watches always show 10:10 then I am here to help you. In this article, I’ll give you as much information about it as I can.
Now, let’s begin, without any further delay.
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Why Are All Watches Set To 10:10?
The Myths
There are a lot of misconceptions connected to ‘why are all watches set to 10:10’. Some people believe that the watches are timed at 10 and 2 o’clock positions because the person who invented the first clock left the world at 10:10. And by indicating the watch hands towards that time was a tribute to him. Not only this, some other people think that it’s his birth time. However, no one exactly knows whether that is a valid reason or not.
Another myth that is believed about the watch being set at 10: 10 is to memorialize two of the American presidents, Abraham Lincoln(16th U.S president) and John F. Kennedy(35th U.S president). Both of them were shot dead and they left the world before time. So, it’s said that they died at 10:10, and for the same reason American watch brands follow this tradition of displaying 10:10 on the display. However, this is not true, neither of them died at 10:10; John F. Kennedy was assassinated at 12:30 pm and was declared dead at 1:00 pm. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln was shot at 10:15 pm and the news was confirmed the next day at 7:22 am.
Another fact that comes out is that it might be a ‘eureka moment’ when the early clocks and watches were set at 10 and 2. For the unacquainted, a Eureka moment is the moment of sudden discovery or inspiration. So, it is believed that the creator set the first watch to 10:10 out of his instinct, and the brands have been paying homage to the creator by setting the same time.
Apart from that, some believe that during the disastrous Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing, one of the bombs was dropped exactly at 10:10. But obviously, this is simply another myth because two bombs were dropped that too on different dates and also happens to differ in regards to time; the first one at 8:15 AM and the other one at 11:02 AM.
Why Are Watches Set At 10:10?
It’s worth discussing the real reason why do watches always show 10:10, its aesthetics. The 10:10 setting of the watch has a number of advantages.
When the watch hands indicate a watch time to be 10:10, then you might have observed that the watch’s hand forms a smiling face. Now, you might be thinking why the hands are facing towards 10:10 and not 8:20. Then, let me tell you that when the watch is set at 8:20, it forms a sad face. And no one would ever want a watch at the display to be set at 8:20. Now, it is important to note that the above isn’t exactly confirmed, and it’s one of the many assumptions of watch enthusiasts.
Whether you look at a watch ad in any magazine or brand catalog or while scrolling the internet, you’ll find the watch with the same timing on display. Well, this tradition works out well for brands as this particular timing doesn’t let any watch hand overlap with the other. So, aesthetically, it presents the watch as more desirable to the buyers.
The next assumption about the setting is that mostly all the brands prefer to add their logo right below the number 12. So, positioning the hands at 10 and 2 doesn’t hide the brand detailing. Therefore, if you’re wondering why the hands couldn’t be at 11 and 1; there’s your answer.
Another thing that works out well with the 10:10 display is that this position of hands respects the subdials in watches. Mostly, subdials on watches are positioned at 12, 3, 6, and 9. So, watches’ hands at 10 and 2 don’t hide any of the subdials.
Summing it Up
Overall, these are all the possible explanations of why do watches always show 10:10 on the display. As a user, you can believe any of the above myths or reasons, but in the end, it’s all about convenience. As we’ve already stated, hands at 10 and 2 don’t hide any of the physical attributes of the watch. So, brands are smart enough to not overthink about it and divert away from the tradition that is working out so well.
FAQs
What Is The Significance Of 11:11?
Some people consider it as angels time while some people believe that something new is going to happen in their lives when the clock is at 11:11. But of course, it is one of those countless myths around watches.
Why Do Watches Always Show 10:10?
To be precise, the hands of a watch look more symmetrical or in a uniform order. And a thing that’s set uniformly is highly acknowledged by humans.
Why 10:10 and not 8:20?
Hands at 10:10 make a smiley face on the display, whereas 8:20 timing is the exact opposite. The latter makes a sad face because of the hands’ position. So, it’s obvious that manufacturers would give the happy face a priority over the sad face.
