If the date on your watch doesn't switch over correctly, this doesn't automatically mean there's a defect. Often, the watch is simply set 12 hours off, or the quick date-setting function was used at an unfavourable moment.
The date changes at midday instead of at night
If the date changes at around midday instead of at night, the time is very likely set 12 hours off.
With an analogue watch, the movement can't tell whether the displayed 12 o'clock means midday or midnight. However, this distinction is important for the date change.
Here's how you can correct the setting:
- Pull out the crown into the position for setting the time.
- Turn the hands forward.
- Watch the date window.
- As soon as the date jumps forward, the watch is roughly in the midnight range.
- Then continue turning the hands forward to the current time.
- Pay attention to whether you're in the first or second half of the day.
Example:
It's 3:00 pm. After the date has jumped forward, you first need to move the hands past 12:00, and then set them to 3:00 pm. This way, the movement knows that it's 3 pm and not 3 am.
At what time should the date change over?
With a mechanical or analogue watch, the date doesn't have to change abruptly at exactly 00:00.
Depending on the movement, the date change can start slightly before midnight and may not be fully complete until some time afterwards.
So it's generally normal for the date display to, for example, move slowly shortly before midnight or not switch over exactly at 00:00.
The date is stuck between two numbers
During the automatic date change, the date disc can temporarily be between two positions.
If this happens around midnight and the date then fully switches to the next number, this is usually not a problem.
However, if the display permanently stays between two numbers or still hasn't fully switched several hours later, you should get in touch with our customer service.
When am I allowed to use the quick date-setting function?
Please don't use the quick date-setting function between roughly 9:00 pm and 3:00 am.
During this period, the automatic date change in the movement may already be in preparation or in progress. If the date mechanism is manually adjusted via the crown at the same time, the components involved can be put under unnecessary strain or, in the worst case, damaged.
If you're not sure whether the watch is currently showing 10 am or 10 pm, you should first turn the hands out of this range before setting the date.
How can I set the date safely?
If your watch has stopped or you don't know whether it's currently "recognising" day or night, you can proceed as follows:
- Pull out the crown to the position for setting the time.
- Turn the hands forward until the date switches over completely once. This means you've identified midnight.
- Then keep turning the hands forward to a safe time outside the date-change range, for example to around 6 o'clock.
- Now set the desired date using the quick date-setting function.
- Switch back to setting the time and set the current time.
- Make sure to take into account whether it's morning or afternoon.
This way, you avoid interfering with the mechanism during the automatic date change.
The date doesn't switch over at all
If the date doesn't change even when you turn the time forward past midnight, first check whether:
- the watch itself is running normally,
- the crown is fully back in its normal position,
- and you've actually moved the hands through a full 24-hour cycle.
If the date display still doesn't change, a technical inspection may be necessary.
The date only partially switches over
If the date disc permanently stays between two numbers or only partially moves forward, you shouldn't try to force it forward using the crown.
First set the watch outside the date-change range and observe the next automatic change.
If the problem happens again, please contact our customer service.
The date can't be adjusted using the crown
Please don't apply force.
First check whether the crown is in the correct position for the quick date-setting function and whether the time is outside the range of roughly 9:00 pm to 3:00 am.
If the crown feels unusually difficult to turn, is blocked, or the date doesn't respond despite correct operation, the watch should be inspected.
Can I set the date backwards?
We generally recommend following the instructions for your particular model and only setting the date in the direction described there.
If you're unsure, don't force the hands or the date display backwards.
Do I need to correct the date in months with fewer than 31 days?
With many analogue watches with a classic date display, the date disc runs from 1 to 31 and doesn't automatically recognise the different lengths of the months.
After months with fewer than 31 days, you may therefore need to correct the date manually.
This isn't a defect, but a result of the design.
When should I contact our customer service?
Please get in touch with us if:
- the date still changes at midday instead of at night despite the day/night phase being set correctly,
- it doesn't switch over at all,
- it permanently stays between two numbers,
- the quick date-setting function doesn't work,
- the crown gets stuck or shows unusual resistance when setting,
- or the behaviour has suddenly changed.
Please send us the following, if possible:
- the exact model of your watch
- your order number, if available
- a brief description of the problem
- roughly what time the date currently switches over
- whether the problem occurs with every date change
- ideally a short video or photos of the date display
This helps us better assess whether the setting simply needs to be corrected or whether a technical inspection makes sense.