Luxury mechanical watches are masterpieces of engineering. Inside those gorgeous cases are complex movements precisely tuned to tick away for hours on end. Whether you have a self-winding automatic watch like the Rolex 69173 or a model that requires manual winding daily, knowing how to set the time is crucial.
Even automatic watches require periodic adjustments. The process may seem self-explanatory, but there is a right and wrong way to do the job. Failing to set your timepiece correctly could lead to unintentional damage, less precision, and many other problems.
Read on to learn the basics of how to set a watch.
Understand How the Crown Works
The first thing to do is figure out how the crown works. The crown is the small dial that extends from the watch case. It's what you turn to set the time. The crown looks simple, but they are more complex than most realize.
For most modern watches, setting the time requires you to pull the crown out. Depending on the features of your timepiece, this time-selling component may have different functions based on how much you pull the crown out. On some watches, such as the Rolex 69173, the crown also controls the waterproof seal of the case.
Knowing what the piece does on your watch is paramount.
Setting Your Watch Correctly
Once you understand how to work the crown, you can set the time. The most common practice is to wait until the second hand reaches zero. When it does, pull the crown out to the second position. Doing so should freeze the second hand and allow you to set the time.
Turn the hands clockwise to set the current time. Never go counter-clockwise. Doing so could cause unnecessary wear to the gear train. The action won't cause immediate trouble, but it could lead to repair issues if done regularly.
If you're also setting the date, do so when the hour hand is in the bottom half of the dial. Avoid changing the date within three hours of midnight, as it could cause the date disc to jam.
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Jeson Clarke is providing info about pre-owned luxury watches, selling, buying, watch repair and services. You can find his thoughts at pre-owned watches blog.