How a 12-hour bezel works

A 12-hour bezel is marked 1 through 12 (often with a triangle at 12) and usually rotates both ways. It works with the hour hand the same way a dive bezel works with the minute hand.

Use 1: a second time zone

Turn the bezel by the time difference. Then read the hour hand against the bezel instead of the dial. Below, the local time is 10:00. Turn the bezel to see the time in another zone.

Use 2: timing hours

Line the 12 triangle up with the hour hand at the start of a flight, a drive, or a slow-cooked brisket. The hour hand will then point at elapsed hours on the bezel.

Use 3: a long countdown

Place the 12 triangle at the hour when something has to happen — check-out, a parking limit, a medication dose. When the hour hand reaches the triangle, it is time.