Unfortunately the colour of the hands is virtually the same as the face and coupled with a similar colour compass pointer you cannot easily tell the time even in a good light. I bought my original compass watch with a green face..(dead easy to see the time and direction), almost a year ago but 2 months back the compass function broke. I returned it to Timex under guarantee, (plus a £2.50 handling charge + my own postage), and whilst it was quickly replaced I got this newer version back. Not much I can do as Timex have honoured their guarantee, but I wouldn't have bought it with the current face/hand colour as I wanted to easily see the time/direction in the bleak outdoors. Given the compass function failed within a year I can't recommend the quality or expense... but the strap is good.