Watch time sync

How to set a mechanical watch to the second

1. Stop the seconds hand. Pull the crown out to the time-setting position. On most modern watches this stops the seconds hand (it's called hacking). Waiting for it to reach 12 is the classic way, but you don't have to: if it stopped at, say, 27, tap Seconds hand not at 12? and then tap 27 on the dial.
2. Set the hands to the time shown. Move the minute hand a little past the target and back onto it, so the gears take up their slack. If your seconds hand stopped partway round, the minute hand sits that far past the minute marker, just like the watch on screen.
3. Push the crown in at GO. The ring around the watch counts down the seconds. When the screen flashes GO, push the crown home. Your watch now runs on the exact second.

Why not just use my phone's clock?

Phones and computers sync their clocks only now and then, and can be off by a second or more. SetMyWatch measures the difference against an accurate server and corrects for it, then counts down using your device's steady internal timer.

What if my watch doesn't hack?

Some older and some current movements don't stop the seconds hand when you pull the crown. Set the minute hand to the target minute while the watch runs, then push the crown in when the seconds hand passes 12 and the countdown hits zero together. You'll be within a second or two.

Need more time?

Set the watch to the minute after the one shown and wait one more round. The countdown always points at the next time the true seconds reach your hand.