If your digital watch hasn't been set in a long time, chances are you've forgotten the procedure. To change the settings for your digital watch, you first need to change the mode to Time Mode, which allows you to set various things, such as the time, date, day of the week, and more. Once in Time Mode, you can use the buttons to toggle options and adjust settings. If so, the watch is ready to wear.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Switch to Time Mode
Step 1. Contact the manufacturer or read the user manual if you have a complicated watch
If your watch is quite complex and the manual no longer exists, try searching the internet first. Enter the watch brand and model into an online search engine to find a digital manual.
- If you can't find the watch's digital manual, contact your watch manufacturer's customer service.
- Model and brand information is usually printed on the back or face of the watch.
Step 2. Check the watch buttons
Digital watches have many features and designs. Simple watches usually only have 1-2 buttons, but more sophisticated watches have more. The clock setting buttons are usually on the left or right side of the watch face.
- Although rare, some watches have a settings dial on the back or behind a simple cover. This cover can usually be removed with a fingernail or a small screwdriver.
- Some watches may have label buttons. Common buttons on digital clocks are “Mode” (mode), “Set”, “Reset”, “Start”, and “Light” (light).
- You will most likely be using the “Mode” and/or “Set” buttons. “Mode” changes the watch mode to Time Mode, Stopwatch Mode, and so on. “Set” mode allows you to set the time in Time Mode or confirm changes.
Step 3. Use the pen to change the mode on the model with the hidden button
Simple watches tend to have one small, hidden button for changing settings. Use the pen to poke this hidden area and change the watch mode.
- When in the timing mode, the settings (eg minutes, hours, date, etc.) will start flashing.
- If the watch has hidden buttons and other buttons, the hidden button changes the mode, while the other buttons change the settings.
- Try not to use a pencil to press hidden buttons. If the tip of the pencil breaks in the hole, the button may get caught and cannot be adjusted.
Step 4. Change the multi-dial watch to Time Mode mode
If the watch doesn't label the buttons. You can click randomly until you find a button that changes the mode. The minutes or hours on most digital watches flash when you enter the time setting mode.
- Usually, only one unit (minute, hour, date) flashes at a time. Some watches represent option selection in different ways, for example through underscores or squares.
- A sophisticated watch can have many features. Familiarize yourself with these features with the press of a button and see how they affect the watch screen.
- Some watches may not have a mode dial so you will need to press the “Set” button, according to the instructions in the next step.
Step 5. Press the “Set” button to enter the time setting mode if possible
If your watch only has a “Set” button, you can simply press it to enter time setting mode. On other watches, you may need to enter the time setting mode and press the “Set” button to complete the setting.
Part 2 of 2: Changing Settings
Step 1. Replace the minutes with the "continue" button
Usually the first option that can be changed is the minutes setting, which will flash when it is selected. When the numbers flash, press the continue button to increase the time. Press the button slowly so as not to accidentally miss the intended number.
- A simple watch may have only two buttons: one to change the mode, and the other to increase the setting by one unit per keypress.
- Most watches will repeat settings in order from greatest (e.g. 1 minute to 59 minutes) or first to last (e.g. Sunday/Sunday to Saturday/Saturday) before returning to the lowest/first option.
- Multi-dial clocks typically use the “Reset”, “Adjust” or “Set” buttons to increase the setting one unit at a time.
Step 2. Set the clock
Click the mode button again to select the hour. If it's flashing, it means the number on the clock is being selected. When you're done, use the advanced button to set the clock on your watch in a similar way.
Step 3. Change other settings as needed, such as date and day
The order of the mode options on the clock is usually as follows: minute, hour, AM/PM (day/night), date, and day. Scroll through these options by pressing the mode button, and change the selected setting using the advanced button.
Some watches have special key combinations for certain things. For example, you can hold down the button for a few seconds to set an alarm
Step 4. Exit setting mode and return to normal mode
When all the settings are correct, press the “Set” button to complete the settings and return to normal mode. If your watch doesn't have a “Set” button, click the “Mode” button until no setting is flashing/highlighting.
Tips
- Don't be afraid to re-accustom yourself to setting the clock by pressing a lot of buttons before setting the time.
- You can also find video tutorials on how to set up a digital watch on YouTube. If you don't know the exact model number of your watch, it's usually listed on the back.
