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Why You Should NEVER Change The Date On Your Watch Between 9 and 3
Changing the date on your watch between 9 and 3 can be extremely damaging to your watch. We highly recommend you never do it for reasons we will explain in more detail further in the article.
Most date displays are found at the 3 o'clock position on a watch; however, some brands put them at 4, 5, 6, or even 12 o'clock. Wherever your day or day/date is positioned, the mechanics inside the watch all operate the same.
In a previous article, we explained the different movements found in watches. The mechanism that changes the date on your watch is not the same. Read our article on Different Watch Movements Explained to learn about the different watch movements and how they operate.
For a more in-depth view on mechanical and quartz watches, check out our articles:
Pros And Cons Of Mechanical Watches
Pros And Cons Of Quartz Watches
There are three types of date mechanisms normally found in wrist watches:
Direct Drive Date Mechanisms (Found In Most Quartz Watches)
A series of gears from the hour wheel drive a power wheel with a protrusion called a "finger" that drives another piece called a "cross" (sometimes referred to as a "Maltese cross"), that turns a gear or pinion with teeth that sit inside the grooves of the date wheel. As the finger turns, it turns the cross that turns the gear and changes the date.
This date change can take anywhere from 4-6 hours due to the limited torque the mechanisms produce. It's similar to filling up a balloon with lots of air; eventually there's an explosion of energy. The balloon pops and the date changes.
Semi-Instantaneous Date Mechanisms
Semi- and instantaneous mechanisms contain a piece called a "jumper" that sits between two teeth on the date wheel. It's held in place with a jumper spring. A finger slowly pushes on the date wheel teeth until the jumper overcomes the tension and snaps to the next tooth on the date wheel, changing the date.
This process can take anywhere from 3-6 hours, on average. The finger usually engages with the date wheel around 9pm and disengages around 3am.
Instantaneous Date Mechanisms
Date change is instantaneous. The mechanism usually begins to activate around 9pm and disengages around 3am, just like the other mechanisms, but the date change is instant.
An instantaneous mechanism contains a date lever with a pin on it that sits inside the teeth of the date wheel. A finger, just like the one used in semi-instantaneous mechanisms, pulls the pin over the tooth on the date wheel and drops it into place, changing the date.
If you own an instantaneous movement watch, listen very closely when the time approaches 8 or 9pm. You will hear a small 'click'. That's the spring and finger activating inside the mechanism.
We could explain in more detail and use diagrams, but this video from Crown & Caliber explains it in more detail than we can in a single article:
NEVER Change The Date Between 9pm And 3am
If your watch battery has died or you need to wind it, but the hour hand is between 9 and 3, be very, very careful! The date mechanism in your watch has most likely begun to engage. Changing the date at this time, considered the "danger zone", could be detrimental to your watch and the movement inside.
By forcing the date change on your watch during this time, you are adding extra tension and torque to parts that cannot handle it. You may shear off teeth or snap off parts that could get lodged in other parts of your watch, which could cost more to repair.
If you own a vintage watch with a date complication, it may be impossible to repair since parts for vintage watches are becoming more scarce and some brands don't exist anymore.
If you accidentally do it once or twice, you may be okay. Repeated date changes during the danger zone will result in a broken watch sooner than later. Some high-end watches may contain a mechanism that will prevent damage during this process, but always refer to the manual to be 100% certain.
Is My Watch In AM Or PM? How Do I Know?
If you own a mechanical watch, there's a good chance you put it down for an extended period of time and it ran out of power. Next time you go to wear it and have to set the date and time, you won't know if your watch is in AM or PM. Here are some ways to tell:
- If the time is between 9pm and 3am, the date wheel will be moving on direct drive or semi-instantaneous mechanisms. You will be able to tell if the date wheel is moving because the date numbers will not be centered. If you are between 9am and 3pm, the date will be centered.
- If the time is not between 9 and 3, or you have an instantaneous date watch, pull the crown out to the second position and begin to change the time. Continue changing the time until the date changes. Continue until about 5am just to be sure the mechanism has
- fully disengaged. Now you are in the clear.
How To Set The Date On A Dead Watch (Without Breaking It)
You just picked up your dead mechanical watch or just replaced the battery in your quartz and are about to set it. Your hour hand resides in the danger zone. What do you do? Fear not! There is a solution. But be aware that there are risks involved.
If you own many watches, this is a common problem. Do you know how many watches a gentleman needs? Our article explains it and goes into detail on different types of watches. Read How Many Watches Does A Modern Gentleman Need for some inspiration.
Setting The Time Between 9pm and 12am
If the current time is before midnight, pull the crown out to the 2nd position and move the time to after 5 o'clock. Push your crown into the 1st position then change your date to the current date. Pull your crown out to the 2nd position and set the time. Always change the date before changing the time if the current time is between 9pm and 3am.
Setting The Time Between 12am and 3am
If the current time is after midnight but before 3am, pull your crown out to the 2nd position and change the time to after 5 o'clock. Push your crown in to the 1st position then set your date to the day before the current date. Pull the crown out to the 2nd position and set the correct time. Push your crown all the way in.
Always change the date before changing the time if the current time is between 12am and 3am.
However, The Safest Method To Change The Date On A Watch Is:
To completely mitigate the risk of damaging your watch, wind your watch a bit or wait for it to tick outside the danger zone. Then adjust the time. This ensures you don't accidentally break the date mechanism or the movement.
If you plan to wear a watch the following day but the current time is in the danger zone, give the crown a handful of turns (more if you're closer to 9, less if you are closer to 3). That way, when you wake up, your watch will be in the safe zone.
There are devices called watch winders that will constantly keep your watch wound if you don't wear it for an extended period of time. Be cautious as some cheap ones constantly wind and may over-wind your watch.
More expensive winders have dials or programs that will slowly turn your watch for a set amount of time then stop to allow the mainspring inside the watch to lose tension.
When Is The Safest Time To Set A Watch?
Setting your watch between 5am and 7pm ensures that the date changing mechanism is not engaged. When your hour hand is within this zone you are completely safe to set the time and don't have to worry about breaking the date mechanism or movement.
Quartz watches require very little maintenance and are fine once they're set, until the battery dies or you travel to a different time zone.
Hacking Seconds? Hack Your Time!
Setting your watch between 5am and 7pm ensures that the date changing mechanism is not engaged. When your hour hand is within this zone you are completely safe to set the time and don't have to worry about breaking the date mechanism or movement.
Quartz watches require very little maintenance and are fine once they're set, until the battery dies or you travel to a different time zone.
FAQs On Changing The Date On Your Watch
Why Is My Date Changing At Noon?
Almost all analog watches have a 12-hour dial (There are some that have 24 hour dials, but they're very rare). If you notice that the date on your watch changes at noon instead of midnight, you have accidentally set your watch to PM instead of AM.
The Date Hasn't Changed On My Watch Yet. What Do I Do?
If it has been more than a day and the time on your watch has not changed, keep an eye on it. You may have accidentally set the time to PM instead of AM (read our note above). If the date still has not changed, take your watch to a reputable watch repair service to have it checked out. Do not try to repair it yourself! Unless you are a certified watch repair person, leave the tinkering to the professionals.
Can I Change The Time With My Watch On My Wrist?
Never set the date or time with a watch on your wrist. You may damage the crown, stem, or the movement if you apply any angled pressure on the crown and stem. Always take your watch off your wrist to set the date and time, then put it back on your wrist.
For more tips on how to take care of your watch, read our article 11 Things You Should NEVER Do With Your Watch
Do I Even Need To Wear A Watch? They're Outdated!
Quite the contrary. A watch is a piece of engineering that has withstood the tests of time, pun intended. A wristwatch is a piece of identity, it is part of your overall outfit, and it will last much longer than your smartphone. Don't believe us? Read our article 7 Reasons Why You Should Wear A Watch for more inspiration.
Summary
Watches have complex parts that make them work. Be sure to always read the manual when you buy a new watch and use Google or YouTube if you are unsure of how to set your watch properly.
There are many watch groups on Facebook that specialize in specific brands, so reach out to them and someone will be more than happy to assist a fellow watch fan.
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