Set your watch to the exact time — time, date and moon phase for your time zone.
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Set a watch in four steps
- 1Wind itGive a stopped watch a good wind with the crown. Your manual says how much.
- 2Set the dateMove the hands to about 6:30 first. Set the day before, then roll past midnight.
- 3Set the timePull the crown at :00, set a minute ahead, and push in when the clock above hits :00.
- 4Set the moonCenter a full moon, then advance the number of clicks shown in the moon card.
Watch guides
Short, plain-language explainers. Two to three minutes each.
- Setting2 min read
Winding a stopped watch
Before you set anything, give the movement enough energy to keep good time.
Read guide - Setting3 min read
Setting the time to the second
Use hacking seconds and this clock to get your watch accurate to within a second.
Read guide - Setting3 min read
Setting the date safely
Avoid the “danger zone”, get AM/PM right, and handle short months.
Read guide - Complications3 min read
How a moon phase complication works
A disc with two moons, a 59-tooth wheel, and how to set it in a minute.
Read guide - Complications3 min read
How a GMT watch works
A fourth hand, a 24-hour scale, and how to read two or three time zones at once.
Read guide - Complications3 min read
Office GMT vs traveler GMT
Which hand jumps independently — and why it matters for how you use the watch.
Read guide