How to Set a Pocket Watch (Pendant, Lever, Key, Pin & More)

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Pocket watches are wonderful heirloom items, but they don’t always come with a set of instructions. To change the time on your watch (which is known as setting the watch), you will need to first identify what type of pocket watch you have. There are 4 common types: key-set, lever-set, pendant-set, and pin-set. Fortunately, each type of watch is fairly simple to use and set.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Identifying Your Watch Setting

PDF download Download Article
  1. The crown is a rotating button at the top of the watch above the number 12. Unlike other watches, the crown on a pendant-set watch will press in and pull out. If the crown moves up and down, it is a pendant-set watch. [1]
    • Use gentle force to pull up on the crown. A pendant set watch should move fairly easily from 1 setting to another.
    • If you have a rotating crown and there is no lever or pin button, you can assume you have a pendant watch.
    • This is the most common setting in modern pocket watches.
  2. Look for a small metal tab sticking out from under the dial. This may be hidden under the case over the dial, so you may need to remove the front case to find the lever. A lever-set watch will also have a rotating crown. [2]
    • Lever-set watches are also known as railroad watches. They are more common in antique watches, but they may also appear in some modern watches.
    Advertisement
  3. The easiest way to tell a key-set watch is to try to turn the crown at the top of the watch. If it won’t turn, you have a key-set watch. Furthermore, if your watch comes with a key, you can assume it is a key-set watch. [3]
    • While modern watches may have a key, key setting is the oldest form of pocket watch. If your watch comes from before the late 19th century, you most likely have a key-set watch.
  4. This button may be very small, but it will be raised up from the rest of the watch. A pin-set watch will also have a rotating crown at the top of the watch. [4]
    • Pin-setting is more common in European watches than American, and it is not very common in higher end watches.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Turning a Pendant-Set Pocket Watch

PDF download Download Article
  1. There may be a snap or a click when you pull the crown up. If the crown won’t hold in this position or if the crown is stuck, take it into a watch maker or repairman. [5]
  2. Turn the crown clockwise to move the hands clockwise. Turn the crown counterclockwise to move the hands in the opposite direction. Once you have reached the right time, stop turning the crown. [6]
  3. The crown should now be in the middle position. Do not push it all the way in unless you want to wind your watch. [7]
  4. Push the crown down to wind the watch if needed. Pushing the crown in will activate the winding mechanism. Once the crown is pushed in, rotate the crown clockwise until it won't turn anymore. When you are done, pull the crown back up to the middle position. [8]
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Adjusting a Lever-Set Watch

PDF download Download Article
  1. Where the lever is located may vary. Often, it will be hidden under the bezel and crystal (which is the glass case over the dial). Open the bezel and crystal by screwing off the lid, snapping it off, or prying it open with a finger nail. [9]
    • The lever will look like a small piece of metal with a raised lip. Most of it will be hiding under the watch face.
  2. Use gentle pressure to pull the lever out from under the dial. The lever should easily spring out towards you. This will activate the setting mechanism. If the lever is stuck, don’t force it. Contact the manufacturer or a watch maker. [10]
  3. Turn the crown to rotate the hands of the clock until they reach the right time. Turning the crown clockwise or counterclockwise will move the hands in that same direction. [11]
  4. This will finish setting the clock. Use your finger nail to gently snap it back under the dial of the watch. [12]
  5. Screw it back on or snap it back into place by pressing down on the bezel or metal rim of the case. The clock should be ready to use. [13]
  6. If the lever is pushed into its original position, turning the crown will wind the watch. Turn the crown clockwise to wind it. It will stop turning when it is fully wound. [14]
    7. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Setting a Key-Set Watch

PDF download Download Article
  1. Most key-set watches have a square peg (known as an arbor) in the center of the dial. If you see a square shape raised up from the arbor, set the watch from the front. Some may be set from the back, however. If you see a hole directly in the center of the back of clock, set the watch from the back. [15]
    • If there is an off-center hole in the back, it is probably for winding and not setting. Some may have 2 holes: a center hole for setting and an off-center hole for winding.
  2. Key-set watches require a key to turn. Do not try winding the clock with your hands, as this could damage the watch. If the key is lost, you can buy pocket watch keys online or from a watchmaker. [16]
  3. This case may screw off. If it doesn’t, look for a lip or indentation on the side of the watch. Use a fingernail to pry the lip up, opening the crystal front of the pocket watch. If you can’t find the lip, look on the opposite side of the watch as the hinges. [17]
    • This case is called the bezel and crystal on most watches. This is the case that protects the hands of the clock. The bezel is the metal rim while the crystal is the glass.
  4. One end of the key will have a hole. Place this hole over the center arbor. It should fit snugly over the key. If the watch is set from a hole on the back, insert the key into this hole. [18]
  5. You can turn the key clockwise or counterclockwise. As you turn it, the hands of the clock will move in that direction. Once you have set the clock to the right time, stop turning. [19]
  6. Do not press down on the crystal, as you could break, damage, or dirty the crystal. Close the case and press down on the outer metal rim. Put the key somewhere safe until you need it again. [20]
  7. The winding hole is usually located on the back of the watch. The hole will be closer to the outside edges of the watch than the center. Turn the key clockwise. You should hear a winding noise. The key will not turn when the clock is fully wound. [21]
    • In some rare cases, a key-set watch may wind counterclockwise. If the key won’t turn clockwise, don’t force it. Try turning it counterclockwise instead.
    8. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using a Pin-Set Watch

PDF download Download Article
  1. The button will be very small, but it will be raised up above the rest of the case. It is usually located on the top ridge, close to the winding stem and crown. [22]
  2. You must keep holding this button until you are done setting your watch. Use 1 hand to hold the button steady. [23]
  3. You can turn the crown clockwise or counterclockwise. Whichever way you turn the crown, the hands will move in that direction. Turn the hands until they display the proper time. [24]
  4. The clock should now display the right time. If you need to, you can wind the clock by turning the crown clockwise. As long as you are not holding onto the pin button, the clock should wind. [25]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I open the back of an old pocket watch?
    Bill Green
    Jewelry & Watch Expert
    Bill Green is an Expert Jeweler and Appraiser. He is also the Founder & Creative Director of Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix, and the Founder and Designer of Amaroo Handmade Opal Jewelry, based in Haddonfield, New Jersey. With over 40 years of industry knowledge, he and his team are known for restoring everything from new watches to vintage jewels and being one of the few shops that still design and make jewelry and watches. Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix is part of the American Society of Jewelers and Gemologists and Ethical Metalsmiths. Bill studied at the Miami Jewelry Institute and the Gemological Institute of America as well as apprenticed with many accomplished craftspeople.
    Bill Green
    Jewelry & Watch Expert
    Expert Answer
    If you don't have the proper tools to open the back of an old pocket watch, you need to get a good grip on it. What you'll need is a piece of sturdy rubber—like that rubberized fabric they use for area carpets or those rubber feet that you put into table legs. Grab a small chunk of that stuff and place it on the case back of your watch. Hold the watch tight and use your palm to give it a twist. With a bit of pressure, you should be able to unscrew it. Be gentle, as you don't want to damage or cross-thread the watch. When in doubt, you can visit the nearest watchmaker to avoid damage and costly repairs.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Mechanical pocket watches need to be reset and wound daily, as temperature, humidity, and other factors can affect the time they display.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Size & Shorten a Metal Watch Band at Home
      How to
      Adjust a Watch Band
      3 Easy Ways to Open the Back of a Watch With Household Items
      How to
      Set the Time and Date on a Digital Watch
      How to
      Set the Time & Date on Your Armitron Watch
      How to
      Fix a Fast-Draining Apple Watch Battery: 14 Ways
      How to
      Change a Watch Battery
      How to
      Set the Time on a Baby G Watch
      How to
      Tell if a Rolex is Real or Fake: 11 Signs of Authenticity
      How to
      Remove Scratches from Watch Glass
      How to
      Measure Wrist Size
      How to
      Wear a Watch
      How to
      Find Bulova Model Number
      How to
      Spot a Fake Breitling
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about watches, check out our in-depth interview with Bill Green .

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      2. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/lever-set.php
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceca1gdXJvU&feature=youtu.be&t=271
      4. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      5. ↑ https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/reference/setting-types
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atF5gi7XOh0&feature=youtu.be&t=42
      7. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      8. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      9. ↑ https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/reference/setting-types
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceca1gdXJvU&feature=youtu.be&t=202
      2. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/lever-set.php
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/ceca1gdXJvU?t=220
      4. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/lever-set.php
      5. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/lever-set.php
      6. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      7. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      8. ↑ https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/reference/setting-types
      9. ↑ https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/reference/setting-types
      10. ↑ https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/reference/setting-types
      11. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      12. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/winding.php
      13. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      14. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      15. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/setting.php
      16. ↑ http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/how-to/winding.php

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 104,681 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Nick May

        Nov 1, 2022

        "Thank you very much. I've never encountered American lever PWs before and as I couldn't see any lever on ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement