You finally got that Rolex Datejust you have had your eye on for a while and you plunked down a lot of cash for it, and now that you have it, you pull out the crown and it clicks once, twice and you are turning it clockwise and counter clockwise and the date isn’t coming up right and the time won’t do right and it’s just getting annoying.
One thing about a watch, especially a Rolex, is that you have to know how to set the day and date correctly in order for the function to work correctly and stay on track, but also for the inner workings to continue to work the way they should. It sounds really simple, but the fact is, most of us don’t know how to properly set our watches, and when it’s a Rolex, each model is a bit different.
For you first time buyers or for those that have multiple models or for those that just want to learn, I have put together an easy to follow guide on how to wind and set a Rolex, starting with the Rolex Date and the Rolex Datejust. Stay tuned as I expand on this list in future articles!
How to Set and Wind a Rolex Date and Rolex Datejust
Before you do anything, you must first manually wind your watch to ensure the “movement” is fully charged. To do this, unscrew the “crown” (which is the dial on the right hand side of your watch face) counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position), then turn the crown clockwise about 25-30 times. When you are done gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Date & Rolex Datejust: Non-Quickset Models
Flush- The crown is fully screwed-down. The watch is completely sealed and the movement protected.
Pulled Out Once (1st Position) For Manual Winding- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Once there, begin to wind the crown clockwise about 25-30 times. This is only required if you have not worn the watch for 1-2 days.
Pulled Out Twice (2nd Position) For the Date– Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Slightly tug on the crown to reach the 2nd extended position. To set the date, wind the crown clockwise or counterclockwise past the midnight position twice, after which you can set the correct date. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Pulled Out Thrice (3rd Position) For the Time- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Extend the crown past the 2nd position, which is fully extended from the side. To set the time, wind the crown clockwise or counterclockwise until you reach the appropriate time. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Date & Rolex Datejust: Quickset Models
Flush- The crown is fully screwed-down. The watch is completely sealed and the movement protected.
Pulled Out Once (1st Position) For Manual Winding- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Once there, begin to wind the crown clockwise about 25-30 times. This is only required if you have not worn the watch for 1-2 days.
Pulled Out Twice (2nd Position) For the Date- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Slightly tug on the crown to reach the 2nd extended position. To set the date for a ladies watch, wind the crown clockwise. To set the date for a man’s watch, wind the crown counterclockwise.
Pulled Out Thrice (3rd Position) For the Time- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Extend the crown past the 2nd position, which is fully extended from the side. To set the time, wind the crown clockwise or counterclockwise until you reach the appropriate time. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Day Date: Non-Quickset Models
Flush- The crown is fully screwed-down. The watch is completely sealed and the movement protected.
Pulled Out Once (1st Position) For Manual Winding- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Once there, begin to wind the crown clockwise about 25-30 times. This is only required if you have not worn the watch for 1-2 days.
Pulled Out Twice (2nd Position) For the Date– Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Slightly tug on the crown to reach the 2nd extended position. To set the date, wind the crown clockwise or counterclockwise past the midnight position twice, after which you can set the correct date. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Pulled Our Thrice (3rd Position) For the Time- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Extend the crown past the 2nd position, which is fully extended from the side. To set the time, wind the crown clockwise or counterclockwise until you reach the appropriate time. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Day-Date: Single Quickset Models
Flush- The crown is fully screwed-down. The watch is completely sealed and the movement protected.
Pulled Out Once (1st Position) For Manual Winding- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Once there, begin to wind the crown clockwise about 25-30 times. This is only required if you have not worn the watch for 1-2 days.
Pulled Out Twice (2nd Position) For the Date– Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Slightly tug on the crown to reach the 2nd extended position. To set the date, wind the crown clockwise or counterclockwise until you reach the appropriate date. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Pulled Out Thrice (3rd Position) For the Day- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Extend the crown past the 2nd position, which is fully extended from the side. To set the day, wind the crown clockwise or counterclockwise past the midnight position twice, after which you can set the correct day. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Pulled Out Thrice (3rd Position) For the Time- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Extend the crown past the 2nd position, which is fully extended from the side. To set the time, wind the crown clockwise of counterclockwise until you reach the appropriate time. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
Day-Date: Double Quickset Models
Flush- The crown is fully screwed-down. The watch is completely sealed and the movement protected.
Pulled Out Once (1st Position) For Manual Winding- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Once there, begin to wind the crown clockwise about 25-30 times. This is only required if you have not worn the watch for 1-2 days.
Pulled Out Twice (2nd Position) For the Day and Date– Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Slightly tug on the crown to reach the 2nd extended position. To set the date, wind the crown clockwise. To set the day, wind the crown counterclockwise.
Pulled Our Thrice (3rd Position) For the Time- Unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it pops out from the side (the winding position). Extend the crown past the 2nd position, which is fully extended from the side. To set the time, wind the crown clockwise of counterclockwise until you reach the appropriate time. When completed, gently push and screw the crown tightly back into place.
