Key takeaways
- Most watches have a crown with two or three positions: winding, date and time.
- Set the date first, then the time.
- On many watches, avoid changing the date between about 9 pm and 3 am.
- Always push the crown back in when you are done.
A new watch rarely arrives showing the right time. Setting it takes less than a minute once you know how the crown works. This guide covers both quartz and automatic watches.
In this guide
Get to know the crown
The crown is the small knob on the side of the case. On most watches it can be pulled out to one or two clicks:
- Pushed in (position 0): normal wearing position. On an automatic watch, turning it here winds the watch.
- First click (position 1): on watches with a date, this is usually the quick-set position for the date.
- Second click (position 2): moves the hands to set the time.
A watch without a date window often has only one click: straight to setting the time. Want to learn the other parts of your watch? Read Parts of a watch explained.
Step 1: Set the date
Pull the crown out to the first click and turn it until the date shows yesterday's date. Depending on the watch, the date moves when you turn the crown one way or the other; if nothing happens, simply turn the other way.
Step 2: Set the time
Pull the crown to the second click. Turn the hands forward until the date jumps to today: you are now in the morning (AM). Keep turning to the correct time; if it is afternoon or evening, go round once more past 12.
Many automatic watches stop the seconds hand when the crown is fully pulled out. Wait until the seconds hand reaches 12, then push the crown in to start the watch exactly on time.
Step 3: Push the crown back in
Push the crown back in until it sits flush with the case. If your watch has a screw-down crown, push it in gently and turn it clockwise until it is snug. Never force it. A crown that is not pushed in can let in moisture.
The date "danger zone"
On many watches, the date change mechanism starts working several hours before midnight. Changing the date manually while it is engaged, roughly between 9 pm and 3 am, can put stress on the parts. The safe habit: first move the hands to around 6 o'clock, then set the date, then set the time.
Shop the story
Quartz vs automatic: any difference?
The steps are the same. The main difference is that an automatic watch may have stopped if it has not been worn for a while, so give it a little wind first. See How to wind an automatic watch. Not sure which one you have? Read Automatic vs quartz watch.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my watch date change at noon?
The date was set while the watch was in the evening (PM). Move the hands forward 12 hours to fix it.
How do I set a watch without a date?
Pull the crown out to the first click, turn the hands to the right time and push the crown back in.
Can I turn the hands backwards?
On most watches it is safer to turn the hands forward, especially when the date is about to change.
