Setting your wristwatch is sometimes a bit harder than it seems. Each watch is different from the next, so what works for setting one watch may not work for setting another. This handy guide will cover the basics for many watches, so you do not have to keep remembering that your watch is an hour ahead or behind! If you are ever unsure of anything in this guide, consult the user's manual of your watch. Always take your watch off to change the time, as doing so on your wrist puts added pressure on the stem, and may result in breaking the stem. For this guide, here is some basic watch terminology
Crown- The fixture that is usually located on the right side of the watch face. This is the fixture we will be focusing on to change the time.
Stem- This connects the crown to the movement of the watch. when the crown is turned, this translates that motion to the watch movement.
Pull-out crowns
These watches have simple push and pull crowns. To tell if your watch is a push or pull crown, simply pull on the crown gently with your hands. If the Crown moves out, then it is a pull-out crown.
If the watch has a date window
In this case, the crown will have 3 positions. Position 1 is when the crown is pushed all the way in and the time is moving. Position 2 is when the crown is halfway out. Position 3 is when the crown is all the way out. In this position, the watch should not be running. To change the normal time (hour and minute) pull the crown to position 3 and turn the crown. Move the minute hand forward (moving backwards may put wear or damage certain watches. It is always better to move the time forward than backward, as it is the natural way the hands move.) To set the date, move the crown to position 2 (the crown halfway out of the watch) The date wheel for most watches only moves forward, so there is only one direction that can change the date. Once finished, just push the crown back in.
If the watch does not have a date
In this case, the watch crown will only have two positions. Position one will be closed, and position 2 will be open. to set the watch, pull out the crown and move the hands forward (moving backwards may put wear or damage certain watches. it is always better to move the time forward than backward, as it is the natural way the hands move.)
If the watch is a chronograph
The chronograph functions of the watch are controlled with the additional buttons on the watch. these usually are push buttons, but also may be screw in (to prevent water from getting in). There are many different chronograph functions, including but not limited to 1/10 second, 1/2 second, second, minute,hour, day, date. The chronographs purpose is to act as a stopwatch.
Screw in crowns
A screw in crown is a crown that screws into the watch to keep water out. The name may be a little misleading, you do not need a screwdriver to undo these. The name refers to the fact that the crown has threading on it that allows it to be screwed down. To change the time on a watch that the crown screws in, take the watch off your wrist and turn the crown counter-clockwise. Once it reaches the end of the threading, the stem will be able to be pulled out fully. Follow the instructions above depending on how your watch is formatted. Once done, push the crown in and turn it clockwise until the crown is tight.
Digital
Digital/lcd watches are usually require holding down the mode or set button, or using a certain combination of buttons. when in doubt, consult your owners guide about the watch or look online using the model. the most common way to set a lcd display watch is to hold the set button for 5 seconds, which will put the watch into the setting mode (the numbers will be blinking in most cases.) use the other buttons on the sides of the watch to switch between the hour, minutes and seconds, date, etc. once you are finished with setting any of the functions, press the set button again to make the time stop blinking.
There are many more watches that have different ways to set them. If you have problems setting your watch, leave a comment!
