General Mechanical Setting
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General Setting Instructions
Definitions
Position 1
Where the crown rests when it is unscrewed. In non-screw-crown watches, this is the position where the crown is pushed all the way in. ALWAYS screw in the crown when you are finished setting the watch.
Position 2
The position of the quickset for the date/day.
Position 3
The position where the time is set (hands are turned).
Manual Wind
A mechanism which runs by physical winding of the watch. This mechanism does NOT rely on motion for power. (Please do not overwind this mechanism, you will feel obvious tension when the mainspring reaches full wind).
Automatic
A mechanism which typically runs on both manual winding and motion. This mechanism cannot be over-wound as it possesses a mainspring slipping function. [It is important to manually wind this watch prior to wearing if the watch has stopped or has not been worn for an extended period of time (such as over the weekend)]
Quick-Set
A feature which allows you to quickly advance the date (typically in position 2). The vast majority of modern watches (with a date display) use this quick-set feature. [Older watches without this feature typically require the user to advance the hands until the proper date is displayed (there are older watches which have other systems for quicker date setting)]
Steps for setting and winding mechanical watches:
1. Unscrew Crown (if the watch has a screw-down crown)
2. (position 1) wind watch in a clockwise direction. (approx 20-30 rotations)
3. (position 3) move hands to 6:30 (this keeps the hands far away from 12:00, which can present date setting issues)
4. (position 2) advance the DATE forward to the day before the current date.
5. (position 3) advance the hands (forward) until the current DATE and TIME are displayed. (please consider AM/PM during this process)
Rolex Day Date
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If a timepiece has a DAY display (such as a Rolex DAY/DATE), please perform the following step (continuation from General Mechanical Setting).
6. (position 2) Turn the crown in a counter clockwise direction until the current DAY appears in the DAY display.
Please note that different models use different systems for DAY setting. Typically, the DAY is set by rotating the crown in the opposite direction of the Date setting.
Rolex Day Date Vintage
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This timepiece has no quickset for the day or date
1. Unscrew Crown
2. Pull out crown to position 2. (please note that this watch has no quick-set and therefore has only two crown positions)
3. Advance the hands forward until you have reached the correct DATE. (This may take some time)
4. Advance the hands BACKWARDS to change the DAY . Continue this procedure until the correct DAY appears. Please keep the AM/PM settings in mind when finalizing the DAY setting.
5. Once the Date and Day are displayed correctly (you will be moving your hands backwards), stop at the correct/current time. (Please keep AM/PM settings in mind).
6. Screw crown back in.
In Step 3, there is a quicker way to advance the date. This is detailed below.
A. Advance the hands forward until the Date switches.
B. Reverse (backwards) the hands past 9.
C. Advance the hands past 12. At this point you will notice the date advances.
D. Repeat this step until the desired date is reached.
This method is significantly quicker you will notice.
Rolex GMT
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Step 1: Unscrew crown until crown snaps open to 1st (neutral) position on its
own.
Step 2: Pull crown out to 3rd position and adjust GMT hand to military time, which
are the numbers on the bezel. (Note: 10 am would be 10 on the bezel but 10 pm
would be 22:00, 22 on the bezel)
Step 3: While crown is in the 3rd position, continue to adjust the minute hand to
the local time.
Step 4: Push crown in to 1st position, and then pull it out to second position.
Step 5: Set the date to the current day.
Step 6: While the crown is in the 2nd position, set the hour to the current time.
Step 7: Push Crown back into 1st position and wind the crown clockwise 30-35
times to start the operation of the watch.
Step 8: Push crown in and screw it clockwise, back into the case.
Step 1: Unscrew crown until crown snaps open to 1st (neutral) position on its
own.
Step 2: Pull crown out to 3rd position and adjust GMT hand to military time, which
are the numbers on the bezel. (Note: 10 am would be 10 on the bezel but 10 pm
would be 22:00, 22 on the bezel)
Step 3: While crown is in the 3rd position, continue to adjust the minute hand to
the local time.
Step 4: Push crown in to 1st position, and then pull it out to second position.
Step 5: Set the date to the current day.
Step 6: While the crown is in the 2nd position, set the hour to the current time.
Step 7: Push Crown back into 1st position and wind the crown clockwise 30-35
times to start the operation of the watch.
Step 8: Push crown in and screw it clockwise, back into the case.
Breitling Aerospace
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Important information about crown positions
Position 1: This is the neutral position, (in this movement) this position will advance the “Modes” of the watch but will not change any data within the modes. You can scroll through the modes in this position and view the current setting of each mode.
Example: Time, Alarm, Chronograph, Time Zone 2, Date, etc.
(Note that the current selected mode is shown in the upper display. However, during setting of the current or real time the upper display is blank. This will be discussed in further detail)
Position 2: In order to access this position, you must pull out the crown. This position will change the data within a given “Mode”. By pulling out the crown while in a given “Mode,” you can edit the setting in that mode.
Example: While in mode AL-Alarm (Showing in the upper display), you can pull out the crown and change the current Alarm setting.
Push Button Feature
While in mode CH-Chronograph, using the push button feature will start and stop the chronograph.
While in mode AL- Alarm, using the push button feature will turn the alarm on or off.
The above is intended for individuals who are interested in understanding the function of the mechanism in depth, a simple and brief guideline on how to set the Aerospace is below.
Quick Setting Guide
Step 1: Initial Setup
With the crown in position 1 / Neutral, advance the modes (by slowly turning the crown) until Both displays are blank.
Step 2: Synchronizing the digital and analog (hands) displays.
Pull out the crown to position 2. You will Notice that the bottom display will activate and display a time. At this point turning the crown will move the (analog) hands only. In the step you must advance the hands so that they match up with the time in the digital display (the time may be incorrect, but this is just the process of synchronization).
When you are finished with this step, please press the crown back into position 1/Neutral. You will notice that both displays become blank.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Turning the crown slowly will advance the hands in small increments, where as a fast spin of the crown will cause the hands to advance by 1 hour increments- this function is applicable to other modes as well.
Step 3: Setting of the current time
Make 1 counter-clockwise turn of the crown. Only the bottom display will activate and the digital time (properly the incorrect time) will be shown.
Pull out the crown to position 2.
Turn the crown (in either direction) to set the desired time. You will notice both the hands and the digital times are changing.
Please remember the ramifications of the IMPORTANT NOTE above.
Push the crown into position 1/Neutral.
Step 4: Setting the Date
In crown position 1/Neutral, turn the crown until the bottom display shows seconds (ticking) on the the left side of the display and a (non-moving) number ( this is the current date) on the right side of the display.
04 3
Pull out the crown to position 2, the display will look something like:
2 15
-
Turn the crown to where it displays the desired month/date. (A quick spin of the crown will advance the month, where a slow spin will only advance the day)
Push the crown into position 1/Neutral.
Step 5: Setting the day of the week
In Position 1/Neutral advance the mode until the display shows the day of the week on the left and the date on the right.
MO 15
Pull out crown to position 2.
Turn the crown to advance the day of the week. This is a little pit complicated as this is basically a long list of the days in a few different languages. If you pass the English version, you can scroll through the list backwards.
Push crown back into position 1/Neutral.
Notes:
Please note that there are a variety of other functions featured in this watch. They all operate on basically the same principals.
Newer versions pf this model are being introduced with additional functions. We will update these instructions as the new models become more prevalent.
Breitling B-1
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The mode advancement concept in this watch is similar to that of the Aerospace. However, there are some noticeable enhancements to this mechanism. This mechanism is fully perpetual whereas the Aerospace (original) is only semi-perpetual. In addition, the push buttons on this watch allow for quicker and more intuitive setting/control of the different functions. You may also notice that this model features a second hand.
It may be helpful to fully read through the Aerospace setting instructions before attempting to set the B-1. It may help you better understand the functions of the digital displays and the crown push-button system.
Please note that this watch features two push buttons (pushers) and a crown push-button system (primarily used to turn backlight on/off).
Step 1: Synchronization of Digital Time (Display) and Analog Time (Hands).
A. In crown position 1, rotate the crown until both displays are blank.
B. Pull out the crown to position 2.
C. Turn the crown to advance the hands (to the closest hour) so that they match the digital time shown in the lower display (notice that in this step the hands are only advancing by one hour increments).
D. Press the lower bush button.
E. Turn the crown to advance the hands by minute increments so they match thetime shown in the digital display.
F. Press the lower bush button again. This allows you to set the second hand.
G. Turn the crown clockwise to advance the second hand to where it is in sync with the time listed in the lower digital display. (Please note that this function can only be performed in the clockwise position, the watch will not allow you to move the second hand in the counter-clockwise direction).
H. Press the crown back into position 1.
Note: please be conscious of AM/PM when setting.
Step 2: Setting of the Time
A. In crown position 1, rotate the crown until TIME appears in the upper display.
B. Pull out the crown to position 2.
C. Turn the crown to advance the time by one-hour increments.
D. Push the lower push-button (this will allow setting in minute increments).
E. Turn the crown to advance the time in minute increments.
F. Press the crown back into position 1.
Note: you will notice that both the analog time (hands) and digital time (lower display) will move in sync when the time is being set. This is due to the proper synchronization discussed in step 1.
Step 3: Setting of the Date and Year
As Stated above this watch features a fully perpetual calendar system. Therefore, the DAY is automatically set once the date and the year are entered.
A. In crown position 1, rotate the crown until DATE appears in the upper display.
B. Pull out the crown to position 2.
C. Rotate the crown to set the desired day of the month (1-31).
D. Push lower push-button.
E. Rotate the crown to set the desired month.
F. Press the lower push button.
G. Rotate the crown to set the desired year.
H. Press the crown back into position 1.
Note: As discussed above, the watch will automatically set the day of the week when all of the other pertinent calendar information is set.
ETA 251.XXX Quartz Chronograph
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Below are instructions for setting the time and resetting the chronograph registers for this mechanism. Please note that these instructions can also be modified to set other 251.XXX series chronographs, such as those found in many models by Tag Heuer, Breitling, Technomarine, Michelle, RW, Cartier and many more.
Setting Time and Date
1. Unscrew Crown (if applicable to model). This will place the crown into position 1.
2. Pull crown into position 2.
3. Advance the Date by advancing the hour hand forward. {At this point you may notice that this model has an untraditional date setting feature. In this position, the hour hand moves three hours per turn of the crown. This system does take longer to set the date than the traditional quickset, however it is much quicker than a timepiece with no quickset feature. This feature also allows one to quickly change the hour while traveling}
Please note that the date can also be set backwards or in reverse on this model. I suggest setting the date to the date prior to the current date.
4. Pull the crown into position 3.
5. Advance the hands until the current date and time appear. (As always please consider AM/PM while setting).
6. Push the crown back into position 1.
This begins the Chronograph re-setting portion of the instructions.
1. With your crown in position 1, press the upper push-button. Let the chronograph run for a few seconds and press the upper push-button again. Press the lower push-button as this will bring the chronograph into the resting position. There are 4 functions which must return to zero, if these 4 functions do not return to zero, you must manually reset them.
Function 1 Chronograph Second Recorder This is one of two long hands (top hand) which sit at 12 o-clock (in reset position). Often times, people will use this hand as their second hand, this is not recommended as it may drain the battery prematurely. This function tracks seconds when the chronograph is activated.
Function 2 Minute Tracking Recorder This is the other of two long hands (bottom hand) which sit at 12 o-clock (in the reset position). This function tracks the minutes when the chronograph is activated.
Function 3 1/10 seconds Tracking Recorder This is the register located between 1 and 3 oclock. This register tracks 1/10 of seconds.
Function 4 12 hour Recorder This register is located between 9 and 11 oclock. This register tracks hours (up to 12 hours total).
Seconds Register This register is located between 5 and 7 o-clock. This register is not part of the chronograph system and simply tracks the seconds of the main watch functions.
2. In crown position 2, press the upper push-button. This will advance the 12 hour Recorder by one step. Holding the push-button will quickly advance this hand. Advance this hand until it is set to zero.
3. In crown position 2, press the lower push-button. This will advance the minutes tracking recorder by one step. Holding the push-button will quickly advance this hand. Advance this hand until it is set to zero.
4. In crown position 3, press the upper push button. This will advance the seconds tracking recorder by one step. Holding the push-button will quickly advance this hand. Advance this hand until it is set to zero.
5. In crown position 3, press the lower push-button. This will advance the 1/10 seconds recorder by one step. Holding down the push-button will quickly advance this hand. Advance this hand until it is set to zero.
6. Once all chronograph functions are reset, press the crown back into position 1 and screw it back in.
Other notes:
To activate the chronograph press the upper push-button. To stop the chronograph, press the upper push-button again. To bring the chronograph into resting position, press the lower push-button.
Different variations of ETA 251.XXX series chronographs may have additional or omitted functions. The different variations of this mechanism operate under the same basic principals and these instructions can be used to set and re-set most functions.