A Pocket Watch: Five Methods of Adjustment

1. 1

   Find out if the watch has a pendant by pulling on the crown. Crown refers to the watch's rotating crown located at the top of the watch, directly above the 12. A pendant-set watch has a crown that can be pressed in and pulled out. A pendant-set watch can be identified by its movable crown. [1]

   • Lightly tug up on the crown and gently release An adjustable pendant watch should be worn in a variety of positions.
   • A pendant watch can be identified by its rotating crown and lack of a lever or pin button.
   • Most contemporary pocket watches operate in this mode.

2. 2

   In order to determine whether or not your watch is a lever set type, you should Observe the dial for a protruding metal tab. It's possible that the lever to operate this is concealed under the front case, above the dial. The crown on a lever-set watch can be turned as well. [2]

   • Train or railroad watches are another name for lever-set watches. Although you'll see them more often in vintage timepieces, you might also find them in a few contemporary ones.

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3. 3

   A key-set watch will not have a crown that can be turned. The crown at the top of the watch won't turn if it's been keyed. It's a key-set watch if you can't wind it. In addition, if your watch has a key, it is likely a key-set model. [3]

   • Even though some contemporary watches feature a key, the oldest type of pocket watch is still set using a key. You probably have a key-set watch if it was made before the late 19th century.

4. 4

   In order to determine if the crown is pin-set, look for a tiny button in its vicinity. Even though it's a tiny button, this one will stand out from the rest of the watch. In addition to the pins, a pin-set watch will have a crown that can be turned to set the time. [4]

   • While more common in European watches than American ones, pin-setting is rarely used in luxury timepieces.

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1. 1

   If you raise the crown, you can adjust the time. As you raise the crown, you might hear a click or a snap. Get it checked out by a watchmaker or repairman if the crown won't stay in this position or is stuck. [5]

2. 2

   To adjust the time, just twist the crown. For clockwise hand movement, rotate the crown counterclockwise. Alter the direction of the hands by rotating the crown in a counterclockwise direction. When the time is right, you should stop turning the crown. [6]

3. 3

   Replace the watch's crown and press the button. The crown needs to be centered at this time. You can wind your watch by pushing it in further, but you probably shouldn't. [7]

4. 4

   If the watch needs to be wound, just press down on the crown. As soon as the crown is pressed in, the watch's winding mechanism is set into motion. Once the crown has been pressed in, turn it clockwise until it stops turning. Once you're finished, you can return the crown to its normal position by pulling up on it. [8]

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1. 1

   Find the button on the pocket watch's front. The button's placement can change. It is typically out of sight, behind the dial's protective crystal. Screw off the lid, snap it off, or pry it open with a finger nail; then, remove the bezel and crystal. [9]

   • The lever will resemble a tiny metal disc with a protruding lip. The vast majority of it will be concealed under the dial.

2. 2

   With your fingernail, gently pull the lever out. Pull the lever out from under the dial with a light hand. Pulling the lever towards you should be a breeze. The mechanism responsible for setting the time will now be activated. Never force a lever that is stuck. Get in touch with the maker or a reliable watchmaker. [10]

3. 3

   To adjust the time, turn the crown on the watch's face. You can set the time by turning the crown to move the clock hands to the correct position. If you turn the crown clockwise or counterclockwise, the hands will move in the corresponding direction. [11]

4. 4

   To reset the lever, simply push it back to its starting position. Finishing the timepiece's initialization with this Snap it back under the watch dial using your finger nail. [12]

5. 5

   If necessary, you should get a new crystal and bezel case. Put it back together by tightening the screws or snapping the case back into place by pressing down on the metal bezel or rim. The timepiece is set and ready to go. [13]

6. 6

   Make use of the crown to wind the clock if necessary. Turning the crown winds the watch if the lever is returned to its starting position. For proper operation, wind the crown in a clockwise direction. When the spool is fully wound, it will stop turning. [14]

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1. 1

   Find out if the front or back is the correct place for the key. There is typically a square peg (called an arbor) in the middle of the dial of a key-set watch. If there's a square structure protruding from the arbor, you should adjust the watch from the front. A few, however, could be back-loaded. Setting a clock that has a hole in the back at its exact center. [15]

   • A hole in the back that is not dead center is likely for winding and not setting. Some models may feature a single central setting hole and a second, offset winding hole.

2. 2

   Figure out where the watch's key is. To wind a key-set watch, you need a special key. Hand-winding a clock is not recommended because it could cause damage to the timepiece. A replacement key for your pocket watch can be purchased from an online vendor or a local jeweler. [16]

3. 3

   If your watch has a square arbor, you'll need to remove the crystal covering the dial. It's possible that this case will go off the rails. If not, try to locate a lip or indentation on the watch case. Pocket watches typically have crystal covers that can be opened with a fingernail by prying up a lip. The lip is typically located on the case side of the watch that is not attached to the hinges. [17]

   • In most timepieces, the bezel and crystal make up the housing. This is the housing for the clock's hands. The crystal is the glass, and the bezel is the metal rim.

4. 4

   Position the key's open end over the central arbor or in the rear hole. A keyhole is drilled at one end. Set this notch above the middle arbor. It must be a perfect fit over the key. A watch's setting can be accessed via a hole in the case back, which is where the key should be inserted. [18]

5. 5

   To adjust the watch's time, simply turn its key. To use, simply rotate the key either clockwise or counterclockwise. The clock's hands will move in the direction you're turning the knob. Stop adjusting the hands once you've reached the correct time. [19]

6. 6

   Take the clock's key out before you put the cover back on. Avoid putting any pressure on the crystal lest you crack it, chip it, or smudge it. Clamp the lid shut and squeeze the metal rim. Lock the key away until you're ready to use it again. [20]

7. 7

   Put the key into the winding hole to wind the watch. In most wristwatches, the winding hole can be found on the back. The hole will be located on the watch's exterior rather than in its center. Tilt the key clockwise. A whirring sound should be audible. When fully wound, the clock's key will not turn. [21]

   • A key-set watch may occasionally wind anti-clockwise. Don't force the key to turn counterclockwise if it won't budge. You could also try rotating it in the opposite direction, clockwise.

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1. 1

   Get the button close to the coil's central post. Although it will be tiny, the button will stand out from the rest of the case. Near the crown's winding stem is where you'll most often find it. [22]

2. 2

   Using your fingernail or a pin, press down firmly on the button. In order to complete the watch setting process, you must maintain pressure on this button. Hold the button firmly with one hand. [23]

3. 3

   Set the time by rotating the crown. Both clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the crown are possible. Turning the crown in either direction causes the hands to move in that respective direction. Make the necessary adjustments by turning the hands until the correct time is shown. [24]

4. 4

   The clock can be wound by pressing the button. Correct time should be shown on the clock. It is possible to wind the clock by turning the crown in a clockwise direction if necessary. Time should wind as long as you are not pressing the pin button. [25]

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