Reading the dial: example 1
In this example, note that the 12 pm hour line is just past the 15 minute line in the hour and minute section of the vernier (A), but not to the next line that corresponds to the 20 min mark (remember, the marks in this section are at 5 minute intervals). This tells you that it is after 12:15 pm but not yet 12:20. Refer to the minute and second section of the vernier (B) to see which lines are nearest to alignment (C) for the time indicated, in this case 12:17:40" (12:15 plus the 2 min. 40 sec. indicated by the vernier).
Photo of dial showing this time:
