How to Wind and Set a Rolex Watch

Rolex is one of the top luxury brands in the world. In the world of wristwatches, the brand is the leader. These watches are synonymous with high class and status. It is the perfect wristwatch to make a statement of achievement and success without saying a word. Just let the watch do all the talking.

There are different models of Rolex and self-winding models are some of the popular models in the market. By design, your watch should continue working without stopping. However, if it remains motionless for about 24 hours, it stops working. When this happens, you have to wind it to return it back into its functional state.

In this article, we look at the step-by-step guide of how to wind your Rolex watches. We will take it a step further and explore how to set the date and time on some of the top models of the brand. It is crucial to mention that there are many models of Rolex. Therefore, it is almost impossible to touch all. However, we will handpick some popular models and provide the winding process guide for each of them. Models that we focus on in this blog include Daytona, Explorer, GMT-Master, Oyster Perpetual, and Yacht-Master.

How to Wind a Rolex?

Rolex watches are very high in quality. They are luxury wristwatches produced by the famous brand, Rolex. In today’s world, owning a Rolex is a symbol of achievement and success. In fact, there is a perception of class and status that come with individuals who wear the watches. The target for the wristwatches includes celebrities, high net worth, and successful individuals. No doubt, it is the biggest luxury wristwatch brand across the globe.

Most of the modern Rolex watches come with a self-winding mechanism. This mechanism winds the mainspring of the piece to power it. The power enables the functionality of the wristwatch. As the wristwatch moves, the power comes up. The brand refers to this as perpetual movement. These perpetual watches don’t always function forever. If you leave it for too long in a stationary state, the perpetual can stop working. When this happens, you will need to wind it to make it start working again. Here, we look at some easy steps to help you wind the wristwatch when it stops working. We also explore how to reset the date and the time.

Wind your Rolex

• Step One

Put the watch on a flat surface. It is important to reiterate the fact that Rolex watches are pretty expensive. Repair and replacement are also not cheap. Therefore, it is important that you protect the watch when winding it. Put it on an unmoving surface to prevent it from slipping out of your hand and falling on a hard floor.

• Step Two

Unscrew its crown. The crown is at the side of the watch where you have the 3 o’clock marking. To unscrew it, turn it counterclockwise. Continue turning until it pops out. You will feel the crown release from the final string. When this happens, you will feel the popping out from the side of your watch.

• Step Three

Wind the Rolex Watch. The next step now is to wind the Rolex. Use your index finger and thumb to turn the crown clockwise at 360 degrees. Do this at a slow pace to ensure nothing breaks or comes off. You can also turn it on full rotation at a minimum of thirty to forty times. At this point, you would have wound the watch completely. It is essential to mention that if you rotate the crown a couple of times, it will not be wound completely. You have to unwind it completely. Also, note that you don’t have to be afraid of over-winding your Rolex. This is because Rolex has designed its self-winding watch models in such a way that you cannot overwind them. There is an in-built mechanism that makes this impossible.

• Step Four

Screw back the crown to the Rolex. Check to see if the watch is working. If it is, then return the crown back to its original position. Do this by pushing the crown into the watch. Screw it back to the springs by turning it clockwise. Check it again to see that everything is perfect. There, you have your watch back in working condition.

Now, if you have wound the Rolex and it is not working as soon as you finish, be patient. Leave it for a while or you can also rotate it clockwise and counterclockwise. The watch might require a few motions to start working again.

This means you should move around with your watch. When a Rolex stays motionless for about twenty-four hours, it often doesn’t wind itself. This means you have to do it manually. It is important that you keep your watch mobile always if you do not want to go through the winding process all over again.

After you might have done all these, if the watch still doesn’t come up, then it is time to take it in for repairs. This is because it might have developed a more serious issue that requires the service of a professional. Take your Rolex watch to a certified authorized dealer in your area for assessment. In case the self-winding watch is broken, the dealer will send it to the company’s factory for repairs. You can expect to wait for a couple of months to have your watch back. However, the certified dealer can provide a temporary watch for you to wear pending when you get yours.

How to Set Watch

When Rolex watches stop working, the date and time will also stop working. This means after winding your watch, you have to set the date and the time. Setting date and time is different for the various models of watches from Rolex. It is therefore important that you use the precise method of setting for your model. Rolex watches come as quickset and non quickset.

Time and Date on Quickset Rolex Models

To set the date on quickset models, the first step is to unscrew the crown. Do this counterclockwise until you notice that it has popped out from the side. Tug at the crown till it gets to the second position. From this position, you can go ahead to set the current date. If it is a lady’s watch, you have to wind it clockwise. For the time, gently tug at it again until it gets to the third position. At this stage, the crown would have extended to its full capacity. Go ahead and set the time at this stage.

When you are done with the time and date setting, push back the crown and screw it clockwise back into place. Ensure that it is fastened tightly.

Time and Date on Non-Quickset Rolex Models

To set the time on non-quickset models, first, unscrew the crown counterclockwise or clockwise until it comes out from the side. Ensure it goes past the 12 o’clock position twice and continue winding it until it gets to the accurate date. To set the time, you will need to pull out the crown again and turn it to the third position. This is where the crown gets extended to its full capacity. Next, wind the crown counterclockwise or clockwise until it gets to the correct time. When you are done setting the date and time, push back the crown and screw it clockwise and make sure it fits into place.

Time and Date on Day-Date Non-Quickset Models

It is also easy to set the time on day-date non-quickset models. The first thing to do is to unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it comes out at the side. Now, pull at the crown until it gets to the second position. Wind the crown counterclockwise or clockwise right past the 12 o’clock position. Do this twice and continue to wind the crown in the same direction to set the appropriate date. Tune the crown to the third position to set the time. From this position, wind counterclockwise or clockwise until it gets to the correct time. When you finish setting the date and time, just push back the crown and screw it clockwise into place.

Time and Date on Day-Date Single Quickset Models

To set time on these models, unscrew the crown in a counterclockwise manner until it comes out from the side of the watch. Pull at the crown until it gets to the second position. From this position, wind the crown counterclockwise or clockwise until it reaches the correct date. To set the day, wind the crown to the third position. From here, wind it counterclockwise or clockwise past the 12 o’clock position. Do this twice and continue winding until it gets to the right date. To set the time, wind the crown counterclockwise or clockwise from the third position. Continue to turn until it gets to the correct time. When you are done with the setting, push back the crown and screw it clockwise into place.

How to Wind a Watch to Set Time on Day-Date Double Quickset Models

The first step is to unscrew the crown in a counterclockwise manner until it comes out from the side of the watch. Pull on the crown till it gets to the second position. From this position, set the day and date. You need to pull it out once more to get to the third position in order to set the time. When you finish setting the date and time, push back the crown and screw it clockwise into place.

Setting Time on Submariner (No-Date), Oyster Perpetual, Explorer (No-Date), and Cosmograph Daytona Models

These models have the same method of setting the time. As with others, the first step is to unscrew the crown counterclockwise. Do this until it pops from the side of the watch. The Cosmograph Daytona, Oyster Perpetual, and some models of Explorer and Submariner models do not have dates. This means there is no date to set. To set the time, however, pull the crown out to get to the complete extended position before you set the time. From this position, wind the crown counterclockwise or clockwise until it gets to the correct time. Note that the second hand will automatically stop when you pull out the crown. It will only begin working again when you return the crown back to the second position. After setting the date and time, push back the crown and screw it clockwise back in place.

Setting Date and Time on Submariner Date Quickset, Yacht-Master, and GMT Master Quickset

These models have the same setting with regard to time and date. To set the time, unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it comes out from the side of the watch. Now pull at the crown until it gets to the second position. Turn the crown clockwise to set the correct date. To set the time, pull out the crown once more and turn it until it gets to the third position.

At this position, the crown is extended to its full capacity. Now, turn the crown counterclockwise or clockwise to set the appropriate time. It is important to note that the second hand will stop on these Rolex watches while you put the crown in the third position. As soon as you return it to the second position, it will start working again. After setting the date and time, push back the crown and screw it clockwise and ensure it tightly fit in place.

Setting Date and Time on Explorer and GMT-Master II Quickset Models

First, unscrew the crown counterclockwise until it comes out. The next step is to pull at the crown until it gets to the second position. Now, move the hour hand to after the midnight position two times. Do this in a single hour jump by winding the crown counterclockwise or clockwise. You can also set the hour hand from the second position. To do this, move the crown counterclockwise or clockwise in order to move the hour hand in an hour jump. Do this until it gets to the right hour. Nothing will stop working as you do this. The watch will run properly as you do the setting.

If you want to set the time, turn the crown to the third position and move it counterclockwise or clockwise until it gets to the correct time. As with other models, the second hand will not move while this is going on. As soon as it returns to the second position, it will start working again. When you are done with the setting, push back the crown into place and screw it clockwise to make sure it is very tight.

Conclusion

Rolex watches are the pride of the wearers. It is the perfect watch for any occasion. You should wear your Rolex on a regular basis to prevent it from stopping. If you don’t wear it for approximately twenty-four hours, it will stop working. This means you have to wind it to restore it to its working condition. Follow the steps we have highlighted above to wind your self-winding watch.