A Rolex consists of more than 200 moving parts, all coming together to make an intricate and precise work of art. You don’t need to know how every part of every Rolex works, but you need to know how to set a Rolex watch.
The question of how to set Rolex watch means you need to set a date and time for it. Well, it’s easy — just turn a couple of the right pieces, and you can have your watch ready to add glamour to your outfits.
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Understanding When To Set A Rolex
To change the date or time on a Rolex, you have to set it. When the daylight savings time clock changes twice a year and therefore all watches must be set.
All Rolex models have the same crown, but not all Rolex models can be set the same way. In some instances, dialing them in the wrong direction is also necessary, such as with women’s Rolex watches.
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How to Set a Rolex: Step-By-Step Guide
Here is the guide on how to set a Rolex watch instructions.
- Step 1: Begin by unscrewing a small circular dial from the ride of your Rolex timepiece. You have to simply rotate it counterclockwise.
- Step 2: Open the crown up and unscrew it out. There are 2 or 3 crown positions on Rolexes that set different things. The first position lets you wind the watch, the second position helps in changing the day and date, and the third position is for moving minute and hour hands. Then, start in the third (farthest) position to change the time and work that in.
- Step 3: Now rotate the crown in the clockwise direction until the hour and minute hands reach the desired positions.
- Step 4: To change only the date, push the crown slightly in so that it lands on the second position while rotating clockwise.
- Step 5: After the watch shows the right time and date, you need to push the crown back into the base of the watch and screw it in place. The reason that a Rolex is waterproof is because of the crown, and it’s important to fully tighten the screw.
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Things to Remember
If you own a manual winding watch, then you must wind it before you set it. A mechanical watch needs winding. The news watches come with batteries that no longer require manual winding. However, if you have a vintage watch must remember to wind it before setting up the time and date.
Further, If you don’t know how to set a time on your Rolex watch or don’t know how to set a date on a Rolex watch either, bring your watch to a local watch shop or jeweler and ask for a quick lesson.
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Clockwise vs Counterclockwise
It is important to understand when to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, especially in watches like Rolex. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Clockwise: Rotate the crown clockwise when you put your watch on, set the date, and slip an hour or a minute hand ahead on the clock.
- Counterclockwise: This rotation is to set different settings; you unscrew the crown.
Don’t reverse the crown the way to set the time or date because this could damage your watch’s mechanism. Following your watch’s setup manual is advised, as some watches have different mechanisms.
Features and Adjustments
Learning how to set a Rolex watch time is not the only thing that goes into setting up a Rolex. Rolex has a GMT function to set a second-time zone, a perpetual calendar for long-term date-keeping, etc. We will explore these advanced features that will bring out the best in your watch.
Using the GMT function setting To set a second-time zone
- Unscrew the Crown: Pop off the crown by rotating it counterclockwise.
- First Position: From the first notch full of the crown and wind the watch.
- Set the GMT Hand: To the second notch, pull the crown out. Rotate the crown to move the GMT hand. Adjust with your desired second-time zone.
- Local Time: If you pull the crown to the third position, you adjust the hour and minute hands for local time.
The GMT hand uses a 24-hour format, so remember and don’t confuse. When it’s pointing at 18, then that is 6 PM in your second-time zone.
Perpetual Calendar
The perpetual calendar is a great feature, which you even get on some of the Rolex models, like the Day-Date president. It’s not your typical calendar — it adjusts automatically for months with different lengths (including leap years). Here is how to set the time on the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch and other similar models.
- Crown Positions: Pull out to the first or second notch, just like before, unscrew the crown.
- Date Adjustment: Pull to the second notch and turn clockwise for fast date setting. The gears will change the date.
- Day Setting: To set the day and time, pull to the third notch. Since setting the wrong AM/PM fudges everything up, so take care.
By using these features, you set a mechanical watch that is more than just a timekeeper, it’s a tremendous feat in engineering and artistry. See these adjustments come out, and your Rolex will always fit your lifestyle.
