Ever Wondered Why 10 Past 10 Is The Default Setting For Clocks & Watches?

When you visit a store with clocks and watches, have you ever observed that all the watches display the time 10 minutes past 10? Even if you search on Google with the word ‘watch’, you will find that most watches in the search results show the time, ’10:10′.

If this makes you curious and you are feeling the urge to decode the 10:10 on the dials, then you are in the right place. Many interested people have already tried to find the reason behind the display, leading to numerous myths about the same. They come up with crazy theories to find a plausible explanation. People even relate it to incidents like war and deaths.

In this article, we are going solve the mystery and discuss the myths and realities behind the time: 10 minutes past 10 on most watches at stores.

1. Myth related to the invention of the clock

There are a lot of theories related to the time, 10:10, and the invention of the clock.

• Words go around that the inventor of the clock died at ten past ten. So, as a tribute, the clocks are set to display 10:10.
• Some say that the reason is that the inventor was born at that time so the time was set to 10:10 when the clock was designed.
• The time is also said to be the inventor’s ‘eureka’ moment and it was the first correct time that a working clock/watch has displayed.

Reality – But this cannot be true as one individual cannot be credited with the invention of the modern clock or watch. The credit is often given to Christiaan Huygens, the Dutch mathematician, and scientist who invented the first pendulum clock in the 17th century. But in reality, the invention of the clock and watch is a result of a series of developments and inventions and one person cannot be awarded credit. Records also confirm that no one is aware of the exact time at which Huygens invented that first pendulum clock.

2. Relation with dead American presidents

Americans never leave an opportunity to make it about themselves so how could they leave the 10:10 theory alone?

• They claim that most watches and clock photographs show the aforementioned time because President Abraham Lincoln died at that time.
• Some say that it was President John F Kennedy’s time of death.
• As both of them died a sudden death by assassination, their time of death was given more importance. But the American’s influence and role in capitalism are not supposed to have anything to do with the visual representation of products such as watches.

Reality – However, neither of the above-mentioned presidents died at 10:10. President Lincoln was assassinated at 10:15 pm and died at 7:22 am. Kennedy was shot at 12:30 pm and was declared dead at 1:00 pm.

3. Is it the ominous time of death?

When it comes to the time when watches are photographed, relating it to something ominous as death is not a distant thought.

• Another popular theory goes by the iconic American personality, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was the face of the American Civil Rights Movement.

Reality – The fact is that Dr. King was assassinated at 6:01 pm and declared dead at 7:05 pm.

4. Hiroshima and Nagasaki tragedy

Disasters are hard to opt-out from the list of myths related to the 10:10.

• Not just iconic personalities, the 10:10 has also been linked with the devastating loss of innocent lives during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To end World War II, America pulled off this horrific attack on Japan.
• The theory says that 10:10 is the time when one of the atomic bombs was dropped for mass destruction.

Reality – The actual fact is that the atomic bombs were dropped on August 6 and 9, 1945, at 8:15 am and 11:02 am, respectively on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

5. Symbol of victory

This theory is also backed by World War II.

• After the win of the Allied powers, the letter ‘V’ represented the feeling of positivity and hopefulness and was being used as the symbol of victory.
• So, there is a myth that 10:10 on a watch resembles a ‘V’. To symbolize the spirit of victory and hope it is said that the time on watches pictured post-war displayed 10:10.

Reality – To discredit this theory, there is no evidence so there might just be some validity to it. But one can’t be entirely certain of it.

People who get watches clicked for advertisements, catalogs, etc generally don’t ask any questions about 10:10. Most of them just follow the rules with no interest in finding out the reason.

Some brands follow exact guidelines set on their own as Timex watches. Timex used to photograph all its watches at 8:20. They couldn’t follow this norm for long as this made the face of the watch appear as though it was frowning. Thus, they reversed it to 10:09:36 to be exact and the Timex watches in pictures displayed that time.

The best plausible reason behind 10:10

A happy ‘expression’ is not always the reason behind displaying ten past ten for most watch brands.

• One of the reasons is that every element on the face of the watch is clearly visible at 10:10. The hands of the clock or watch don’t overlap or come close, so it is the best way to display their shape and design.
• Another reason for brands to do so is to display their logo or collection name. Most brands put those just below 12 o’clock, which makes 10:10 the aptest position to showcase their pride.
• Even the other elements, like chronograph counters, date windows, and other indicators tend to appear at the six, three, and nine o’clock positions, so the hands at 10:10 keeps these features unobstructed.

The truth behind 10:10

The reason is simple, it is basically about aesthetics and clarity.

Exceptions to 10:10 time

Though most brands follow the tradition followed by the pioneering and historic brands, some decided to alter that for various reasons.

• The most typical reason is obviously aesthetics. Sometimes watch dials featuring the brand get partially hidden with hands at 10:10 so they change the display time.
• The brand, Nomos Glashütte Metro Datum Gangreserve’s logo is seen slightly above nine o’clock, so, the time displayed is 11:12, to proudly frame their power reserve display.
• Parmigiani watches are photographed with their time set at 07:08 which is founder Michel Parmigiani’s time of birth.
• Oris is a brand that depicts its dials at a unique 7:53 or occasionally even 6:53. The reason must be to set themselves apart. They display the second’s hand just off 1 o’clock framing their branding generally present at the usual 12 o’clock position.

So, now you know the myths and realities of the much talked about 10:10 display time on clocks and watches of most brands in stores and photographs.

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