How To Set Time On A Watch

How to Set A Watch

You just got a new watch, congratulations! You’ve got the style ready to go, but now it’s time to get the function as well. With your new timepiece in hand, you’re probably wondering how to set a watch. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get your timepiece ticking perfectly. The first step in understanding how to change the time on a watch is becoming familiar with the parts of your watch. The dial is where you read the time, featuring the hour hand, minute hand, and often a second hand. Some watches may include additional complications, like subdials or date windows, which add extra functionality. The watch case houses the mechanism that powers your timepiece, and on the outer edge of the case, you’ll find the crown. The crown is the small button or knob that sticks out and is essential for watch adjustment. Whether you’re learning how to reset the time on a watch you’ve had for a while or a new timepiece, the crown is your go-to tool.

How To Set The Time On Fossil Watch Styles

To make things easier for you, we’ve created a handy tool to guide you through how to adjust time on a watch exactly like yours. All you have to do is find the style number on the back of your watch case. Go to our watch setting manual, enter your style number, and we’ll provide a personalized guide on how to adjust watch time on your timepiece. If for some reason you can’t see a style number or would like to set another watch, we’ve prepared some general guidance on how to set a couple key types.

Three-Hand Watch Adjuster Guide

For a basic three-hand watches, follow these steps for wrist watch adjustment:

1. Pull the crown out to the 2 position when the small second hand is at 12 o’clock. The second hand will stop on the spot.
2. Advance the minute hand by rotating the crown. The 24-hour hand will advance one hour for every full rotation of the minute hand.
3. Push the crown back to its normal 1 position and the time is now set.

How To Set An Automatic Watch

For a basic three-hand watches, follow these steps for wrist watch adjustment:

1. To start time-keeping, if the watch has completely stopped, rotate the crown clockwise approximately 40 times (or until you feel resistance) in position 1. When fully wound, the timepiece has a power reserve of approximately 40 hours.
2. Pull crown out to position 2 and rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise to set time after the watch has been wound.
3. Return crown to position 1.

Note: A timepiece with an automatic winding movement obtains the power to wind itself by the movement of your wrist, there is no battery. Therefore, not wearing the timepiece for several consecutive days could exhaust the power reserve.

Set A Watch With Our Help

Learning how to set the time on a watch is simple once you understand the basics. Whether you’re exploring how to reset watch styles or wanting some extra help at a Fossil location, we’re here to help.