To Nerd or not to Nerd
Are we nerds because we own and have used the pilot watch slide rule?
or decades I viewed pilot watches with the E6B slide rule as excessive functionality and ‘nerdy’ for those who actually think their watch to be that capable…but I secretly liked the mathematic capability.
Fast forward a couple decades. I capitulated and picked up one of the best pilot watches with the ‘Nerd’ complication. The problem remained, I didn’t know how to use the slide rule.
I listened carefully to some explanations and BANG…I’m now a pilot watch nerd. I do use the slide rule because it’s actually really slick as all slide rules are. While not as fast as typing an expression into a calculator, I use it for the same reasons I have analog watches, I’m a watch Nerd.
What say you…do you have a slide rule on a pilot watch? If so, what’s your usage of that nerdy tool?
Christian, watch enthusiast/collector, host (@realidealgear)
I have a "Nighty" with the slide rule in my collection, and I have used it for some simple conversions. 😁
I love them but never have totally understood how to use it but I wear them because I think they look cool because I too am a watch nerd!
I love them but never have totally understood how to use it but I wear them because I think they look cool because I too am a watch nerd!
Please give an example of a calculation you’ve done with it. Not testing-truly interested because it would let me nerd-out!
I'm more of a geek than a nerd, but I like using the decimal bezel on my Skyhawk.
Please give an example of a calculation you’ve done with it. Not testing-truly interested because it would let me nerd-out!
Mult/Div/ratios/decimals/percents/ and conversions. Marc at Long Island Watch has a the most concise video I’ve seen…
https://youtu.be/RuK_77DEUfw?si=-k2_TPS5cTkd-92O
Please give an example of a calculation you’ve done with it. Not testing-truly interested because it would let me nerd-out!
The most common scenario is splitting a check with friends. Say you're at dinner with 5 friends and the bill is $215.
You would line up the bezel like you would a fraction, so 21.5/50. You do have to mind the decimal placement, hence the name decimal bezel. You can see it circled in red. Then you check the return value, which is the red 10 (or 1 in this case) in the yellow circle. So $215 split among 5 people is $43. You can quickly find 20% gratuity by looking at 12 (1.2) in the green circle, so $51.50 each, or $52 to be nice.
Mult/Div/ratios/decimals/percents/ and conversions. Marc at Long Island Watch has a the most concise video I’ve seen…
https://youtu.be/RuK_77DEUfw?si=-k2_TPS5cTkd-92O
Thanks for that video. Now it walkers more sense. Pretty cool
The most common scenario is splitting a check with friends. Say you're at dinner with 5 friends and the bill is $215.
You would line up the bezel like you would a fraction, so 21.5/50. You do have to mind the decimal placement, hence the name decimal bezel. You can see it circled in red. Then you check the return value, which is the red 10 (or 1 in this case) in the yellow circle. So $215 split among 5 people is $43. You can quickly find 20% gratuity by looking at 12 (1.2) in the green circle, so $51.50 each, or $52 to be nice.
Great real world uses. Thanks!
Thanks for that video. Now it walkers more sense. Pretty cool
*makes. Geez