Pocket Watch Movement Setting Types

Key Set

Early pocket watches were wound using a small metal key that fit snugly around a winding square at the center of the mainspring barrel. The key was also used to set the watch using the center arbor located at the front of the watch, manipulating the hands directly.

Identification: The center of the hands arbor will feature a small square. The case will likely not feature a rotating crown, but rather, a solid pendant or pusher.

Pictured: Hands on the dial of a key-wind watch

How to Set a Key-Wind Pocket Watch:

1. Hold the pocket watch dial-up.
2. Located the small lip around the edge of the bezel. If the watch is fitted in a hunting case, use the pusher to open the front first.
3. Carefully pry the bezel and crystal toward you using that the lip, exposing the dial and hands. The safest way to do this is with your fingernail. If the cover is too snug, a specialized tool may be required. Most early cases were hinged, so the bezel will likely swing away from the case.
4. Fit the end of the key over the center arbor, where both hands are attached.
5. Rotate the key until the hands indicate the correct time.
6. Remove the key and carefully snap the cover back into place using force around the bezel edge (not on the crystal).

Lever Set

Lever-set watches became exceedingly popular in the late 1800s. Once railroad standards were fully established, lever-set watches were required for service to prevent accidental time changes, which could result in fatal accidents. The setting lever is concealed under the bezel at the edge of the dial.

Identification: The watch features a rotating crown. Pulling up on the crown does not engage the setting mechanism. There is a lever at the edge of the dial once the bezel is removed.

How to Set a Lever-Set Pocket Watch:

1. Hold the pocket watch dial-up.
2. If the watch is contained within a hunting case, the lever might already be accessible once the cover is opened. If the watch is contained within an openface case, carefully remove the bezel and crystal (Possibly screw-off, pry-off, or snap-off).
3. Look around the edge of the dial for a small metal lever, and use your fingernail to swing the lever away from the dial to engage the setting mechanism.
4. Rotate the crown until the hands indicate the correct time.
5. Swing the lever back toward the dial.
6. Carefully replace the bezel.

Pendant/Stem Set

Pendant-set watches offered a more convenient way to set the time since it was removing the bezel was not required. However, due to how easily the time could be changed, pendant-set watches were not allowed for railroad service once railroad requirements were fully adopted around 1906.

Identification: The watch contains a rotating crown. Pulling up on the crown does engages the setting mechanism. There is not a lever at the edge of the dial once the bezel is removed.

How to Set a Pendant-Set Pocket Watch:

1. Hold the pocket watch dial-up.
2. Grab the crown between your thumb and index finger.
3. Carefully pull the crown away from the watch until you feel it pop. (Sometimes, a considerable amount of force is required, but exercise caution.)
4. Rotate the crown until the hands indicate the correct time.
5. Push the crown back towards the watch until you feel it pop.