In the world of watches, if there's one popular rule and followed by almost all watch brands, it's the rule of 10:10.
If you don't understand, flip through watches for boys online or in a magazine, you'll see that the watches are set for the time ten minutes past ten in all of the pictures. Some people have had crazy ideas and gone so far as to celebrate October 10th (10/10) as International Day of Watches. But it couldn't be further from the truth.
Now that you're curious, continue reading as we list down long-standing theories decode the real reason behind this practice.
The Theories
Clock/Watch Inventor
Some theories suggest that the clock's inventor passed away at 10:10, and to honor his memory, 10:10 became the rule for all watches. In other places, some list 10:10 as the 'eureka' moment of the inventor, and this was the time the invention was born. However, there is no clear or confirmed record of the time at which any of these incidents happened.
Dead American Presidents
Some weird theories suggest 10:10 was the time of Abraham Lincoln's death. While others believe it was of John F Kennedy. Since they were both assassinated, they left this world before their time was to come. The truth is, none of these presidents died at 10:10!
Symbol of Victory
World War II is a part of these theories too. The Allied powers widely used the victory symbol V after they won the war. This symbol is similar to 10:10 on the watch. This time, therefore, symbolizes victory and hope. There isn't any solid evidence to discredit this theory, but one can never be entirely sure.
The Truth
Several watchmakers don't attribute the practice to any of these theories. Most photographers and art directors follow the standard industry practice while others follow strict guidelines set by brands. Timex initially set its guidelines that all Timex watches must be photographed at 8:20 and not 10:10. However, this seemed to have the watch face frowning and was changed to the precise time of 10:09:36.
The real reason, though, isn't that it depicts happiness. 10:10 shows practically every element of the watch dial in the most precise manner. The hands don't overlap. They've proportionally spread apart and displayed their design perfectly. The logo that's placed below 12 is also clearly visible. The hands also steer clear of the subdials. The truth, therefore, is simple. 10:10 is all about aesthetics and clear presentation.
So, there you have it. The real reason behind the 10:10 practice is now unveiled. If you're looking for mens watches online, head to our website, and you'll see we're all set for 10:09:36!
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