Navigation by the sun is easy to learn and one can obtain an accurate N/S/E/W direction when using the stick method. Over the years I have shown many people this method and they were not aware of and have been surprised of this primitive but very effective way of direction finding.

As for the watch method, even with the digital watches, we all should still have a good idea where the old analog numbers would be located on a modern digital watch. You are then still able to obtain a very good indicator of N/S/E/W direction without any difficulty.

Needless to say though, having a compass (and a backup compass) pays dividends for times where the sun is blocked by cloud, rain or snow which can last for hours, if not days depending on where you are.